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Montana Rural Health Initiative Newsletter
VOLUME XII: JUNE 2012
In This Issue
Program Spotlight
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Events
Quick Links
Our Sponsors
RHI Sponsors

Contact Us
MT Rural Health Initiative
PO Box 170520
Bozeman, MT 59717 

Phone: 406.994.5310


The RHI Quarterly Newsletter is designed to provide relevant communication while encouraging networking and collaboration. Thank you for being part of our network and encouraging health and wellness. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.

 

Sincerely,
RHI Staff 
RHI News
The Rural Health Initiative just finished up the fourth round of the Incubator Mini-Grant Program. We received a whopping 48 applications for funding and technical assistance in all of RHI's focus areas: community gardens, worksite wellness, health fairs, and physical activity.  20 programs from around the state were awarded mini-grants ranging from $200 - $1000 for a total of over $10,000. Check out one of this year's awardees, Pondera Medical Center Health Fair, on our website. http://montanaruralhealthinitiative.info/?p=1578

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's round of mini-grants, especially those who applied, scored applications, and spread the word about this great program designed to hatch and grow health and wellness programs across the state.
Program Spotlight
Got Grit? Obstacle Course Race   
Coming Up: July 3rd at 2pm; Choteau, MT

Got Grit Obstacle Course 

Come join the fun in Choteau, MT on July 3rd at 2pm to participate in an obstacle course race. This race is sure to bring out the kid in you! 

 

There are 25 obstacles, including through the spider rope maze, going down the slip and slide(watch out for the cactus at the end- ouch!), wallowing in mud pits,crossing through Spring Creek culvertjumping on car hoods and much, much more child-like behavior.

 

There will be first place prizes awarded to the number one male & female (ones to go home and brag about, of course).  But even if you are not the fastest participant on the block, you can compete for other awards, including: Oldest Participant Award, Dirtiest Person Award, Cleanest Person Award and Filthiest Family Award.  Oh, and one more category, Best Costume Award. So go out to your local thrift store and find your best awe-inspiring, GOT GRIT costume. 

 

If you leave this race without a smile, you must have been at the wrong race! For registration and details, visit: http://runchoteau.com/  

This obstacle course race is a Benefit for Teton Medical Center Cardiovascular and Diabetes Prevention Program. So be sure to come help a great cause and participate in the race.

Registration prices are:
     Single Participant --          Early $25           Same Day $30
     Family of 3 --                    Early $55           Same Day $60
 

Funding Opportunities
Fourth Annual "50 States for Good" Program 
Deadline: June 12, 2012
For more information, click here
 
  
Funding for Active Lifestyle Youth Programs 
Deadline: June 30, 2012
For more information, click here 
 

Wells Fargo Small Grants Program

Deadline: July 1, 2012
For more information, click here   

 

Upcoming Events
June 9 - Governor's Cup, Helena
 

 

Join over 4,000 runners, joggers, fitness walkers and families for the 39th running of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana Governor's Cup. The Governor's Cup offers friendly competition and family fun for participants of all ages and abilities.

 

The Governor's Cup is the major annual fundraising event for the Caring Foundation of Montana, Inc. (Caring Foundation) a 501(c) (3) charitable foundation established by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana in 1991. The Caring Foundation is dedicated to helping Montana kids receive dental benefits through the Healthy Montana Kids (HMK) Extended Dental Benefit Program.

 

All proceeds raised for the Caring Foundation will be donated to the HMK Dental Benefit Program and matched $3 to $1 by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It is a unique and compelling opportunity to make your registration dollar go so much further. Even if you are not participating in this year's race, you can still donate.

  

If you would like to make a donation that will be matched 3 to 1
please send it to:  

Caring Foundation of Montana

PO Box 872
Helena, MT 59624

Governor's Cup 2012 

July 12 - HealthShare Montana Stakeholder Meeting, Helena
 
HealthShare Montana is a non-profit, statewide initiative focused on the exchange of health care information via a secure electronic network to help ensure that medical professionals have access to their patients' vital medical history, no matter where they receive care, for example, a specialist's office, the lab, or in the emergency room. 
 
July 20-22 - Big Sky State Games, Billings
 
 Big Sky State Games logo
The Big Sky State Games is an annual multi-sport event, modeled after the Olympic Games, designed and held solely for the residents of Montana. Residents in bordering states that do not have a State Games are invited to participate (Idaho, South Dakota, and Wyoming) The State Games concept was developed in New York in 1978 with the Empire State Games, and today 35 states currently conduct State Games. 

Since the inaugural Big Sky State Games in 1986, and during the past twenty-three years over 224,000 athletes from more than 250 Montana communities have participated in the Games. In 2010, the Big Sky State Games celebrated its 25th year with over 10,000 athletes participating in 37 sports with the help of 2,500 volunteers. 
Big Sky State Games stands as the largest State Games per capita in the nation.  

August 16-17 Montana Farm to School Conference, Bozeman
 
 MT Farm to School Logo
Gallatin Valley Farm to School (GVF2S) was started in February 2007 by a Steering Committee of committed and concerned parents and community members. Today GVF2S is a collaboration between many diverse organizations, such as parent councils of various schools in the area, Bozeman School District Food Service, Montana Outdoor Science School, the Community Food Co-op, Montana State University, and Grow Montana's FoodCorps VISTA program. Gallatin Valley Farm to School is currently a project of Hopa Mountain. 

 

The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. Although it is our intention to keep this information current, we cannot promise or guarantee that information is correct, complete or up-to date.  Links to other sites are informational only, and we are not responsible for the information on other websites.