Father and son outdoors
Healthy Portland E-Gram
May 2007
In This Issue
Nutrition
Physical Activity
Tobacco Free Living
Worksite Wellness
Related News
Quick Links
Dear friend of Healthy Portland,  

Welcome to our May E-Gram!  Our goal for these E-Grams is to update you on all the great work that Healthy Portland and our collaborators are doing to improve the health of our great city and beyond.  In our E-Grams you will find news on nutrition and physical activity promotion, tobacco free living initiatives, and more!  The E-Grams will also provide you with great opportunities to positively impact the health of your community.
 
  Nutrition
Father and son outdoors 

Hannaford + Portland Parks and Recreation = Kids "Power-up"!

 

What do Hannaford Grocery Stores and Portland Parks and Recreation have in common?   Together they made it easier for kids to eat healthy at Portland's after-school programs!  In January, Hannaford and Parks and Recreation partnered to provide healthy "power-up snacks" and nutrition education to kids in after-school programs.  Healthy Portland is proud to have worked with these groups to form this partnership. 

 

Thanks to a $15,000 donation from Hannaford and $5,000 from Olivia's, healthy snacks were purchased for the after-school programs at all nine sites -even by ferry to Peaks Island!  "Power-up snacks," are purchased using Hannaford's Guiding Stars initiative and free snacks were also sent to the program by Roberts American Gourmet, Kashi, Cliff Bars, Snickiddy Snacks, SunRidge Farms and Sunsweet Farms.

 

In addition to the "power-up snacks," two dieticians rotate through eight of the after-school sites conducting cooking demonstrations and educational activities about healthy eating.  Staff and kids are extremely thankful for this opportunity to provide nutritious snacks along with education about the benefits of eating healthy.  Educational materials are also sent home to parents.  A big thank-you to Hannaford and Portland Parks and Recreation for making Portland a healthier place for kids!

 

 
  Physical Activity
 
Girls Playing Soccer

March into May 2007 best year ever!

 

It's our 9th annual March into May (MIM) program!  We had a great start, and it's shaping up to be our best year ever.  Increased numbers of participants for both sites and individuals demonstrates that Healthy Portland is making our community more active!  Special thanks to all our supporters and site coordinators for their dedication, fun outlook, and participation.  Here are the numbers so far:

  • Total Sites - 123  Up 21% from last year.
  • Total Participants - 3595  Up 83% from last year.
  • Total Portland Sites - 52  Up 100% from last year.
  • Total Portland Participants - 1637  Up 77% from last year.
 
 
Save the date - MIM program celebration
 
Who: For MIM participants and coordinators
What: Hawaiian Luau Themed Celebration
When: Friday, June 1st - 11:30 to 12:30
Where: State of Maine Room, City Hall, Portland
Why: To have fun and celebrate the efforts and successes of our participants! 
 
 
For more information visit us at www.marchintomay.org, or contact: 
 
Rick Fortier
PH: 874-8618

 

 

Thanks to our platinum level sponsors:

Bally's Total Fitness

MaineHealth/WOW Council

Martin's Point Health Care

Council on International Educational Exchange

 
Thanks to our gold level sponsor:
Unum

 

Thanks to our silver level sponsors:

USM Lifeline

Anthem BC&BS

TD Banknorth

Communities Promoting Health/PROP

 
  Tobacco Free Living
 
Father and son outdoors
Maine Tobacco Helpline
 

The Maine Tobacco HelpLine is here to answer your questions and offer friendly support.

 

One of the hardest things to do is to quit smoking. Quitting is a process and sometimes it takes more than one try. Your call to the Maine Tobacco HelpLine is an important first step. If you're having a tough time, the HelpLine offers support that can help you stay tobacco-free for life.

 
 

It's Free, Confidential and It Really Works.

 

Call the Helpline Toll-Free at 1-800-207-1230.

 

 

Remember: The HelpLine is open to everyone. Even if you don't use tobacco, you can call for family or friends who do.

 

For more information click here to download a copy of How the HelpLine Works brochure.
 
  Worksite Wellness
 
Nutrition policy solutions
  • Are you interested in healthier food options at your workplace? 
  • Are you interested in improving the health of your employees? 
Healthy Portland has the resources to help! 
 
People are looking to make healthier choices, and they need help to make sure those options are available at the workplace.  Understanding employees needs and supporting them in making healthy choices is a vital component of worksite wellness.
 
Healthy Portland can help you create new or improve current nutrition policies.  With sample nutrition policies and guidance on best practices, your worksite will have the help needed for to support healthy employees.
 
Policies don't have to be scary.  In fact, when it comes to a healthy workplace they are one of your most effective tools.
 
For more nutrition policy information, please contact:
Rick Fortier - Health Promotion Specialist
PH: 874-8618
 
  Related News
 

Save money, be healthy - get involved!

 

Commute Another Way Week (CAWW), May 14th-18th, is Maine's annual transportation event promoting carpools, vanpools, public transit (bus, ferry and rail), bicycling and walking as money-saving, healthy and enjoyable alternatives to driving alone to work.  Traditionally this event has been limited to one day.  This year there is an entire week's worth of ways you can get involved.  

 

In 2006 this one day event helped to reduce traffic congestion and auto emissions by eliminating: 

  • 11,400 auto trips
  • 117,000 auto miles
  • over 3 tons of harmful pollution
  • 4,600 gallons of gasoline
  • $76,000 in commuting costs

Save cash and the environment all while doing something good for your health - it is a win-win week for everyone!  Sign up today and you can win lots of cool prizes for participating.  It's fast, easy and free!

 

Sign up as an individual or as a worksite at: www.commuteanotherwayweek.org.  

 

 

 

Neither snow, nor, rain, nor, sleet!

 

Stormy weather on April 11th didn't stop Nathan Clifford and Riverton Elementary Schools from holding their annual health fairs!  Both schools had a great turn out of students, parents and community members.  Here are just a few of the highlights: 

  • skin cancer awareness and sunscreen promotion
  • sun safety for the eyes
  • injury prevention (helmets & pads)
  • healthy snack promotion
  • nutrition education
  • tobacco free living education
  • physical activities to try
  • oral health promotion

Nathan Clifford's day event had all 325 staff/students attending. Riverton's evening community event had roughly 400 family and community members attending.  MR. MAC and MS. CARROT (school staff in apple and carrot costumes) were a big hit at both events.  The Healthy Portland Prize Wheel, promoting physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco free living was also a favorite.  Both adults and students were trying hoola hoops, jump ropes and other fun physical activities!

 

Coming soon: Lyman Moore Middle School health fair in May.

 

If you would like to hold a successful health fair at your school contact Carol Raymond. 

 

For more information contact:

Carol Raymond

Portland Public Schools

874-8100

raymoc@portlandschools.org

 
Healthy Portland would like to thank you and all of our supporters who have helped us to improve the health of our great city and beyond.  Your continued support and participation in our initiatives is greatly appreciated.
 
Sincerely,
 

Healthy Portland Staff