Milton Hospital’s Community Health Walk Surpasses Goal

. The event raised money to fully fund six different local organizations to promote good health initiatives and healthy living throughout the surrounding communities.

“The community health walk has once again proven to be a valuable opportunity to come together and raise awareness and funds for good health initiatives throughout our community,” said hospital president Joseph Morrissey. “We were excited to see such a great turnout and to exceed our fundraising goal by 30 percent.”

Exceeding its fundraising goal enabled the hospital to increase the level of funding.  All six of the health programs chosen were fully-funded.

Following the walk, participants visited Milton Hospital's Annual Community Health Fair with free health screenings and behind-the-scenes tours of the hospital's operating room and laboratory.  Visitors also had an opportunity to personally test out the hospital’s da Vinci surgical robot. Walkers battled it out in a Nintendo Wii “Just Dance” competition and enjoyed face-painting, balloon animals and exciting prizes. 

The following is a list of grant recipients and their causes:

Braintree Public Schools - "Braintree Bans Bullying" 

A community effort to change attitudes and behaviors to eliminate bullying.  Parents will be educated in the signs of bullying and cyber-bullying and will be empowered to intervene when they witness bullying incidents.

Father Bill's & Mainspring, Quincy - "Feet First" Health Clinics for Homeless Men and Women 

A series of free foot care clinics for homeless men and women at father Bill's Place emergency shelter, Quincy. Clinics will provide foot screenings and education for increased health, with a focus on prevention, early detection and self care.

  - "Wellness Intervention for Milton High School Students" 

Nutrition education and support for active student lifestyles, and the purchase of equipment to enable school nurses to more efficiently track key indicators of student health.

 Bird Street Community Center, Dorchester - "Gender Specific Health/Wellness" 

Trained youth workers will meet with young adults ages 10-21 to discuss avoiding risky behaviors, physical well-being, social/emotional issues, staying in school, etc.

South Shore YMCA, Quincy – “CATCH Kids Club" 

Evidence-based program to promote healthy physical activity behaviors to more than 150 children in after-school and summer programs in Quincy.

Milton Community Food Pantry, Inc. - "Community Cookbook" 
Volunteer staff, along with Milton High School students and pantry clients, will produce a cookbook that utilizes the non-perishable food items distributed by the Food Pantry, to increase nutritional value and enhance flavor of meals.

The above is a press release from Milton Hospital.