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September 1, 2010

Employees win big in healthy program

By Stacie N. Galang Staff Writer

SALEM — Salem schools learned they could fight City Hall and win.

At least, employees of the School Department did. They tallied 604 points to city workers' 584 in a wellness program called "Biggest Winner."

Over 10 weeks this spring, 22 city employees and 34 school employees participated in a first-time friendly competition to see who could best the other at healthy habits.

For fitness, for example, participants were encouraged to walk, run, swim or bike 138 miles over the 10 weeks.

During one week, employees were asked to write daily about 10 things for which they were grateful.

The team points were tallied early this summer, and the winning side earned a party sometime this fall, said Lisa Cammarata, the human resources director.

"We're trying to get everybody healthy," she said. "It sort of brings everybody together. It was a lot of fun."

The city worked with its insurance provider, Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, to design Biggest Winner, which is "unique to Salem," said Carol LaRosa of MIIA.

"The City of Salem is very committed to wellness," she said. "It is a big priority of the city and community."

Of the employees who participated, 97 percent said they reached most or some of their goals and 94 percent said they enjoyed the program, according to a press release. The average weight loss, which was optional, was more than 7 pounds.

Cammarata said the program was popular enough to bring back for January. By then, employees will be able to report their goals online weekly.

And, she warns, "we're going to kick it up a notch."

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