canned goods piled for donation to the stuident food bankParticipants in the Get Active! Stay Active! workplace wellness challenge developed healthy habits and donated to the student food bank.

Wellness challenge sparks activity for employees

Kate Hargreaves didn’t need a challenge to get active. An administrative assistant in the Office of the Vice-President - People, Equity and Inclusion, she is training to run the cross-border half-marathon sponsored by the Detroit Free Press in October and the full Glass City Marathon, April in Toledo.

She led all competitors for most active time in the Get Active! Stay Active! wellness challenge for UWindsor employees.

“The challenge helped keep me motivated in my ongoing marathon training, as well as encouraging me to get outside on my breaks and move and stretch more regularly,” Hargreaves says.

Her 1,605 minutes contributed to a total of more than 17,500 minutes of activity logged by all registrants. Hargreaves received a prize of a personal training package from Lancer Recreation and two tickets to the varsity home game of her choice.

Elisabeth Bistrev, a receptionist in Student Health, Counselling and Wellness Services, received the prize for most consistent participation in a draw from the pool of 12 competitors who logged active minutes every day of the four-week period. She received a one-month pass to the Toldo Lancer Centre and two tickets to the University Players performance of her choice.

Leanne Riberdy of Facility Services won a random draw of all participants to claim a pass for all Lancer Recreation classes and two tickets to the Lancer home game of her choice.

The challenge was definitely well-received, says organizer Oliga Tserakhava.

“We were pleased with the number of people who signed up for the whole period, as well as those who joined us for one-off activities like the launch walk and concert and our wrap-up poker walk,” she says.

Poker Walk participants donated goods for the student food pantry.

“So not only did they gain the benefits of healthy activity, but also supported our students in need,” Tserakhava says.

To learn more, visit the Get Active! Stay Active! Workplace Wellness Challenge website.