News release from Milton Beth Israel Deaconess – Funding Awarded for Projects to Promote Healthy Communities
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton recently awarded grants to four community groups to fund projects designed to promote healthy living. The grants will be made possible with funds raised from the Third Annual BID-Milton Community Health Walk and Carnival, scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 10 a.m. at BID-Milton.
Each year, BID-Milton seeks to meet the needs of the community by providing outreach programs, health education, screenings, and funding. In 2011, BID-Milton distributed grants to Braintree Public Schools, Father Bill’s & Mainspring Shelters, Milton High School, South Shore YMCA, Milton Community Food Pantry, and the Bird Street Community Center.
This year, funds raised from the walk will support the following local health initiatives:
Milton Board of Health -“Smoke or Chew Tobacco is not for You”
Public health effort to pro-actively prevent the sale of tobacco products to underage youth by conducting compliance checks of retail tobacco establishments, in addition to educating those establishments on the importance of preventing underage tobacco use.
Braintree Public Schools – “Braintree Youth Cardiovascular Health Education Project”
Cardiovascular fitness program for Braintree High School students focusing on the importance of physical activity and cardiovascular health. Funds raised will purchase new commercial grade exercise bicycle.
Point Webster Middle School, Quincy-“Point Webster Middle School Positive and Safe Climate Proposal”
Through theater performance, students are encouraged to take a stand against bullying in their schools and communities. The interactive, half-hour after-show discussion features the three actors who help students process and reinforce the educational points in the play.
Cooperative Elder Services, Inc.– “Fall Prevention & Chronic Disease Management”
Initiative designed to assist the Adult Day Health and Alzheimer’s Day programs that provide essential nursing care for frail, at-risk, and low-income elders from Milton and the surrounding communities with essential nursing equipment, such as a transfer aid and foot stools to elevate the lower extremities for clients suffering from congestive heart failure and other conditions.
The Community Health Walk and Carnival will also feature exhibits and lectures from hospital staff on a wide range of preventative health topics, such as nutrition, mammograms, how to quit smoking and more. Attendees will also be able to Meet Wally the Green Monster, participate in free demonstrations, receive a free flu shot, and enjoy free lunch.
For a complete schedule of events, call 617-313-1588 or visit the hospital’s website at www.bidmilton.org and download registration forms. Registration is $10 per walker and all walkers under 12 can participate for free. A 25 percent discount is being offered to groups of five or more.