Katie Tripp wins LRH Health Challenge Grand Prize
(FERGUS FALLS, Minn.) – When Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) launched its 2017 Community Health Challenge in January they knew it was literally a long shot. Asking the community to “Shoot for the Moon” was asking for 238,900 miles of exercise - twice as many as the community recorded last year. Over 1,000 people from 36 surrounding towns accepted the challenge and together ended up logging a total of 258, 549 miles – over 19,000 more than the goal.
Reaching that goal meant the grand prize of a $3500 travel voucher could be awarded to one lucky participant at the Community Health Expo held Thursday at the Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls. The lucky winner was Katie Tripp of Fergus Falls. Tripp logged 272 miles during the challenge, mainly doing yoga and walking, she said. “I’ve been doing those things on a regular basis, but this challenge encouraged me to do even more,” she said. Tripp says she’d like to take her family on a cruise to the Caribbean with her travel voucher. Tripps’s name was drawn at random from all participants in the challenge who were present for the event.
On reaching and surpassing the challenge goal, “it’s simply remarkable,” said Larry Schulz, LRH CEO. “This community really takes a challenge seriously, and together we are creating a culture of wellness that is being recognized statewide,” he said. This is the 4th annual challenge the organization has sponsored to encourage more physical activity during the cold winter months. Participants recorded their weekly miles of physical activity and the total was reported weekly to registrants through email, social media and on the LRH website.
In addition to the trip, Phatty Nattie’s, CrossFit and HUB gift certificates, an Apple Watch, a bicycle and $100 gift card to Service Food were given away. Several students from area schools also participated and Cleveland Elementary School won the highest average participation per student team award, earning a $500 donation for their school’s phy-ed department. Challenge participants 17 and under had a chance at additional prizes including the grand prize Trek bike won by Jenna Thorson of Fergus Falls.
Hundreds of community members attended the Expo and took advantage of free health screenings, health & wellness informational booths & presentations, and free chair massages. Program entertainment featured local 5th graders Luke Norgard, Zade Carlson, Kaydence Knutson, William Nuss and Landon Schulz and doctors Jason Glynn, Colt Edin, Chris Rott and medical student Katie Bressler in a health & wellness edition of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”
The challenge and health expo were made possible by a grant from the Lake Region Healthcare Foundation. For more information on the Shoot for the Moon Challenge, please visit http://www.lrhc.org/shootForTheMoon.
About Lake Region Healthcare
Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional health care partner. With over 80 medical staff and over 900 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.
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Attached Photos: LRH CEO Larry Schulz Presents Katie of Fergus Falls with the Grand Prize certificate for a $3500 Travel Voucher at the Community Health Expo Thursday night. 17 and Under Grand Prize Winner Jenna Thorson with the Trek Bike she won at the Expo. Cleveland School 5th Grade teacher Niki Welde and students accepted the $500 donation to their phy ed department for the highest average participation among area schools. The students also starred in the “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” game as part of the evening challenge.