BluePrint Mini-Grants
Harford County Office on Aging
Bel Air, Maryland
Project Title: Harford County "Active For Life"
Amount Funded: $24, 985
About the Organization/Coalition:
A coalition of organizations in Harford County encourages older citizens
to enhance the quality of their lives through increased physical activity.
The coalition includes the Harford County Office on Aging, the Department
of Parks and Recreation, Upper Chesapeake Health, Healthy Harford, the
Bel Air Athletic Club, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the
Harford County AARP Community Council, the Times of Your Life
newspaper, Harford Cable Network, Harford County Transportation Services,
and Harford Community College.
Project Objectives:
The following strategies will be developed.
- On the Road to an Active Life: Harford County Transportation Services
has agreed to offer a free introductory "progressive dinner" style tour
of many available activity options in the community, stopping at each
site for a brisk walk or a lively dance activity. A group of seniors
who are interested in taking the first step toward a more active
lifestyle will be selected, along with a group of seniors who have
learned to enjoy increased physical activity through participation
in senior center programs or the Senior Olympics. The senior newspaper
will provide information about the tour and the Harford Cable Network
will feature the tour on the Harford Scene Program. The Active for
Life initiative will also go on the road as volunteer fitness mentors
introduce walking programs to groups meeting in local churches.
- The Group of Two: Throughout the initiative, participants will be
encouraged to "bring a friend," "grab a buddy," or receive "two for
the price of one" benefits to increase motivation, reduce embarrassment
and enhance the social experience of increased physical activity.
- Passport to Activity: Passport to Activity logbooks will be distributed to
all participants at kick-off events. Participants will receive a stamp for
each event, earning prizes and awards at the end of the year.
- It's Good for Business: A speaker's bureau of RSVP volunteers, Bel Air
Athletic Club outreach staff and Senior Olympics athletes will offer
"Active for Life" presentations for employees at brown-bag luncheons.
- Ask the Doc: Informational sessions will be televised throughout the
year, featuring specialists in cardiac rehabilitation and stress and
weight management, as well as dance instructors who will demonstrate
the personal benefits of physical activity.
- Getting Started: The Times of Your Life newspaper has agreed to develop
a comprehensive directory of "Active for Life" opportunities available in
the county. An annual program of "Active for Life" special events will
appear in the directory as well as discounts offered to participants with
Passports to Activity logbooks. Special events will include an annual
Senior Picnic, a Parks and Recreation Festival at Swan Harbor Farm, an
open house at the local athletic club, and the Rebuilding Together program
for the Harford Volunteer Center to feature participation in community
gardening, trail maintenance programs, and home rehabilitation projects.
Progress Report:
Harford Active Life Program accomplishments for 2003 included:
- Special activities for 2003 included a Senior Picnic-June 16, 2003 and the Swanfest - Oct. 18, 2003. Both events attracted more than 3,000 attendees. Future activities include an Open House - Jan. 14, 2004; Rebuilding Together - April 24, 2004; Senior Olympics - May 1-8, 2004; and Senior Picnic and Awards - June 16, 2004.
- 247 seniors participated in the Harford Active Life program since April 2003. Participants earned t-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts for activities at four senior centers, the Parks & Recreation office, and eight local health clubs.
- A Senior Fitness cable-produced television show was initiated and a personal trainer was hired as a consultant for expertise and on-camera talent. A 12-month program has been planned to focus on local facilities, group classes, fitness tips, and senior interviews.
- The Parks & Recreations fall guide of physical activities was sent to 70,000 households in the county.
- Six Harford Active Life participants attended the Maryland Senior Olympics activities as part of Seniors in Motion, a state program that encourages walking.
Contact Information:
Carol Lienhard
Harford County Office on Aging
145 N. Hickory Ave.
Bel Air, MD 21014
(410) 638-3025
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