Andrews House will kick off a new community walking program at its building, 39 W. Winter St., at noon Wednesday.
April 6 is designated “National Walking Day” by the American Heart Association.
Andrews House decided to kick off its new program on this nationally designated day to draw attention to the benefits of walking for exercise, organizers said.
Anyone in the community is invited to meet at Andrews House every Wednesday and Friday at noon for a 1- to 2-mile walk. The first phase of the program will be held through Memorial Day.
The walks will start at 12:10 p.m. and last about 30 minutes with a varying course of 1 to 2 miles through the town center. A light lunch of salad, yogurt and fruit will be available after each walk. Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes, clothes and sunscreen because the walks will be outside, rain or shine.
In addition, participants in the Andrews House walking program can enter to win a free raffle for a Fitbit fitness watch. A raffle ticket entry form will be given to each walking participant at the end of each walk at Andrews House.
Participants may enter every time they participate in the group walk, starting from Andrews House.
The program will also offer a small tracking journal to keep track of individual’s walking efforts. A “marathon” mile-marker will be celebrated after walking 26 miles in the Andrews House program by receiving an additional Fitbit entry form.
“Andrews House is always interested in bringing the community together in different ways,”. said Andrews House executive director Mel Corroto. “We believe the walking program is a fun and easy way to increase physical activity and socialize. We hope you can join us.”
Andrews House is looking for volunteer walking leaders to expand the program to add different days, times, and routes.
Andrews House is a nonprofit help-giving community center. The walking program is supported by a grant from the Delaware County Foundation.
This program is free to the public. For more information, call Andrews House at 740-369-4520.
