The race is on...to the beaches of Hawaii
Draper has one of the best employee wellness programs in the State of Indiana. At last month’s Annual Employee Meeting Mike Broome reported that since we began our wellness program three years ago 40 Draper employees have quit smoking and our Weight Watchers participants have lost 3,083 pounds.
Mike also announced a new contest – Walk to Hawaii – to encourage Draper employees to improve their health and fitness by walking more. This contest runs from April 1, 2012 to March 1, 2013. All participating employees have been given a pedometer to record their steps, and all who walk 2,400,000 steps (which is about 5 miles per day/5 days per week) or more during the next 11 months will be entered in a drawing. The winner will receive a free trip for two to Hawaii. All steps on or off the job count toward the goal.
278 employees – over half our staff – have signed up to walk their way to Hawaii. A lot more employees are using Draper’s walking track during lunch and after work, and we’re told several have parked their riding mowers and are using old fashioned push mowers instead.
We are encouraging employees to get beginning and end weights and measurements so we will have some improvement stories to share when the year is over. One of the benefits of walking is improved mood and already we are hearing reports of improved morale and more camaraderie among the walkers.
The race is on…
About John Pidgeon
I am one of the beneficiaries of the wellness programs. as an 11 year employee, I have participated in numerous programs, In the last 18 months, I have lost 40 lbs, and I am in the best condition I’ve been in since my 60th birthday (I will soon be 66.) Thanks to Draper, I have been able to ride my bike on a 30 mile tour, and work out at the gym or in Zumba classes at least 4 times a week. I am not participating in the “Walk to Hawaii,” since I plan to retire before the program is finished, but maybe in my retirement, I will see a co-worker in Hawaii on my own time. Keep walking everyone!
I am walking to Hawaii! I really like this program. Since I started I have walked my 5 miles a day and surprised myself that I could do it. I feel better and have a ton more energy. Draper looks after its employees and I am grateful to have such a great company to work for.