FARMINGTON – The Healthy Community Coalition recently presented 23 area businesses with Work Healthy! awards for their efforts in promoting good health for their employees. The Work Healthy! program encourages businesses and organizations in greater Franklin County to support tobacco-free lifestyles, encourage physical activity, and promote healthy eating.
The awards were presented at the June meetings of the Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls Chamber and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Recipients included: Verso Paper, Franklin Community Health Network, Androscoggin Bank, Crayon Country Pre-school, Notify MD, Western Maine Community Action, United Way of Tri Valley Area, Star Barn B&B, Abused Women’s Advocacy Program, Community Concepts, Bangor Savings Bank, Franklin Savings Bank, Work First, LEAP, University of Maine at Farmington, TD Bank, Lewiston Sun Journal, Tri-County Mental Health Services, Camden National Bank, Mt. Blue Regional School District, Shiretown Insurance, HealthQuest, and Dr. Heer Family Dentistry.
HCC program director, Kelly Bentley stated, “The Work Healthy! program is designed to support employers with effective strategies implemented through policy and environmental changes which can reduce cost for their businesses over time. More than 1,500 employees from businesses in Greater Franklin County are now able to make healthier behavior decisions with the support of their employers.”
“Participating organizations have realized that a healthier workforce is beneficial to everyone,” she added. “It benefits employees to have their employer promoting health. For the employer this translates into reduced absenteeism, lower health care costs, improved productivity, and healthy and happier employees.”
The Work Healthy! program provides interested work sites with free technical assistance, educational materials, and support in promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyles for their employees. Any business or organization that would like to participate in the program is encouraged to contact Nate Morse at 779-2931 or toll free at 1-800-525-3136.
HCC is a Healthy Maine Partnership and an affiliate of the Franklin Community Health Network. For more information visit www.fchn.org/hcc on the Web.
