Six individuals and 42 employers received awards Thursday, May 17 from Governor
James Douglas and Melissa Johnson, executive director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.  The awards recognize activities that help promote healthy behavior and prevent disease.

The awards for Work Site Wellness honor employers that support staff access to
physical fitness activities and promote good health on and off the job.  Franklin County Home Health Agency received a silver award
in the category of companies with 151-500 employees. 

Each summer the Agency's Employee Health & Wellness Committee presents an agency-wide Summer Activity Challenge, in which participants track time spent on fitness activities to earn cash and prizes.  Throughout the year, health information is posted on Agency bulletin boards and employee newsletters and staff meetings have featured speakers on wellness topics.  An Employee Fitness Fund reimburses employees $100 annually for wellness purchases including bicycle parts, pool passes, nicotine kits, Pilates mats, running shoes, ski passes, exercise DVDs, hiking boots and hockey league memberships.

The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is a physical activity promotion and advocacy group, comprised of volunteers appointed by the Governor to represent a broad spectrum of Vermonters.  The Council’s mission is to promote wellness through physical activity for people of all fitness and ability levels.  

For 13 years, the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has presented the awards on National Employee Health and Fitness Day in May.  This was the first time the director of the President’s Council participated in the Vermont event. 

For a complete list of this years award recipients, visit www.VermontFitness.org