Ingalls New Sponsor for Orland Square Mall Walkers

For 14 years, Adrian and Carol Vroegh have been getting their exercise at Orland Square mall in Orland Park.

The couple most enjoys the constant temperature and the dependable atmosphere. "No snow and no sleet," said Carol, a trim and fit 68-year-old. "Air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter – no stress and no strain."

Sitting at Starbucks after a post-New Year's workout, the Orland Park couple are very positive about the benefits of mall walking.

"I have the energy I need," said Carol. "It gets us out of bed, stretches our muscles and keeps us moving."

When the couple vacations, they do a great deal of walking. "We always like to walk instead of getting a cab and this regular exercise is like aerobics -- for seniors."

The mall walking, they believe, builds and maintains the leg strength they need for their longer, more intense excursions.

Adrian's family is plagued by heart disease, with many relatives dying at a young age. Now 78, Adrian recently passed a stress test with flying colors and credits that success to walking at Orland Square.

"The technicians kept moving up the incline and nothing bothered me. I was always fine. They finally just shut the machine off, but I could have kept going," he said.

Carol believes that the exercise, coupled with a sensible diet, has helped Adrian overcome his somewhat dangerous genetic factors.

"You can override your family history," she said.

Mary Ann Popelka, of Palos Heights, concurred. "Exercise and diet – that's what you need."

On Monday, walkers received the news that Ingalls Health System will be the new sponsor of the Orland Square mall walking club.

"Oh, yes, we know Ingalls," remarked many of the voices around the table.

"That's a great place with a really good record." Mary Ann shared that Ingalls provided home health care for her son and credits the nurse who cared for him with his successful recovery.

She recently attended the nurse's wedding because, she said simply, "I just love her."

Carol mentioned that all of her children were born at Ingalls. "It's a great hospital."

Additionally, Ingalls has a comprehensive outpatient center conveniently located on 159th Street, just east of Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park, complete with a low-acuity emergency room and many other services.

To kick off this new mall walker club, Ingalls will be hosting a Welcome Reception on Friday, Jan. 21, from 8-11 a.m., lower level Carsons. The launch event will include a complimentary breakfast, free chair massages and the opportunity to question a Mayo-trained family physician. There will be a variety of free health screenings, including blood sugar, balance, heart and stroke risk and blood pressure.

Members of both the Orland Park and the Tinley Park chambers of commerce will be present for a ribbon cutting ceremony that will lead off the event.  

"We've never had a name for the club," said Carol, "but we've always thought we should."

So, Ingalls and Orland Square are holding a Facebook contest, with a prize of $100, to give the mall walkers a real identity. Ideas can be submitted by visiting facebook.com, "liking" Ingalls Health System or Orland Square and posting suggestions to either wall.

At the welcome reception, guests will be invited to vote for their choice from the top suggestions. Then, at the second monthly club meeting on Friday, Feb. 18, the new name will be unveiled and free T-shirts will be distributed to all registered walkers.

Beyond the physical health benefits, the walkers also find friendship. When the doors open at 7:30 a.m., dozens of walkers of all ages begin to arrive at the mall.

"There are about 15 of us in our group of friends," said Adrian. "It's a good group."

Carol agreed. "We've been out together outside the mall for get-togethers. We celebrate birthdays together."

Many in the group have been walking for decades and every woman and man in the group, from their late 60s to well into their 80s, could easily be a model for senior fitness, good health and easy friendship.

The walkers think Ingalls and their club is a perfect match. "The people that come here are trying to get movement in their lives, they are watching their health."

Carol mentioned a friend who attended an Ingalls free screening and had an aortic aneurysm discovered and subsequently treated.

"That screening – that saved his life."

The walkers are also looking forward to the new educational programs and health screenings that Ingalls will offer at Orland Square on the third Friday of every month.

"I would like the information," said Mary Ann.

Carol agreed, "We will take advantage of that."

With their devotion to a good diet, frequent exercise and health information, the new Orland Square and Ingalls partnership promises to give these walkers just what keeps them going.

The launch event and the monthly meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to join the walking club, or just come out to meet Ingalls and take advantage of all that is offered that morning.

For more information, or for a link to the Facebook page, visit www.Ingalls.org.