September 3, 2008

Walks Across Indiana encourage Hoosiers to get moving

The walks, sponsored by Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and INShape Indiana, will be held in several counties throughout the state in September and October.

"We want to show people that walking is great physical activity for all ages," said Karen Zotz, Purdue Extension's Consumer and Family Sciences program director. "Exercise doesn't have to be strenuous, but just getting out and moving for 30-60 minutes a day will help manage weight and lower risk for heart disease."

In addition to the walks, many counties will provide additional information, including handouts with health information, ways to select proper walking shoes, and nutrition.

"Many of our Purdue Extension offices partner with county health departments for the walks," Zotz said. "In those areas the county health nurse will provide free blood pressure checks before and after the walks and will share information about disease prevention."

Some counties also will offer door prizes to participants.

"This is a family activity that provides time to network with other people who enjoy walking," Zotz said. "Many families come to the walk with strollers so young children also can participate."

More information about the walks is available by contacting Zotz at (765) 494-8252, kzotz@purdue.edu.

Counties participating in the Walks Across Indiana and local contact information are as follows:

* Allen, Sept. 26-27, Vickie Hadley, hadleyv@purdue.edu

* Bartholomew, Oct. 18, Kristi Price, pricek@purdue.edu

* Benton, TBD, Linda Pitstick, lmp@purdue.edu

* Crawford, Oct. 25, Sharon Lawson, lawsonsm@purdue.edu

* Daviess, Oct. 3, Jennifer Sefancik, jstefanc@purdue.edu

* Dearborn, Oct. 11, Peg Ehlers, pehlers@purdue.edu

* Decatur, Sept. 20-27, Atina Rozhon, arozhon@purdue.edu

* DeKalb, Oct. 7, Ann Williams, williams@purdue.edu

* Floyd, Oct. 11, Janet Steffens, jsteffens@purdue.edu

* Franklin, Oct. 11, Holly Murray, hmurray@purdue.edu

* Grant, all Sundays in Oct., Teresa Witkoske, twitkoske@purdue.edu

* Henry, Oct. 18, Emily Becker, ejbecker@purdue.edu

* Huntington, Oct. 6, Karen Hinshaw, kdhinsha@purdue.edu

* Jennings, TBD, Atina Rozhon, arozhon@purdue.edu

* Johnson, Oct. 5-12, Linda Souchon, lsouchon@purdue.edu

* Kosciusko, Oct. 11, Joan Younce, jyounce@purdue.edu

* Marion, Oct. 3-9, Christina Ferroli, ferroli@purdue.edu

* Marshall, Oct. 14, Karen Richey, krichey@purdue.edu

* Newton, TBD, Deb Arseneau, arseneau@purdue.edu

* Noble, Sept. 6, Janeen Longfellow, jlongfellow@purdue.edu

* Ohio, Sept. 13, Marcia Stenger, mstenger@purdue.edu

* Perry, Oct. 11, Brenda Hagedorn, bhagedor@purdue.edu

* Posey, Sept. 6, Genise Huey, ghuey@purdue.edu

* Spencer, Oct. 4, Brenda Hagedorn, bhagedor@purdue.edu

* Tippecanoe, TBD, Kathy Murray, murrayk@purdue.edu

* Vigo, all of Oct., Deanna Franklin, franklindm@purdue.edu

* Wabash, TBD, Teresa Witkoske, twitkoske@purdue.edu

* Warrick, Oct. 3, Mary Lou Elbert, elbert@purdue.edu  

Writer: Jennifer Cummins, (765) 494-6682, cumminsjs@purdue.edu

Source: Karen Zotz, (765) 494-8252, kzots@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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