Cassie Willis, 319-286-5055

Yesterday, Mayor Ron Corbett submitted the Cedar Rapids community’s application to the Blue Zones Project. The 38 page application outlined the community’s readiness and motivation for becoming the healthiest city in the state.

 

“If Cedar Rapids is chosen to become a Blue Zone Community, we will receive assistance from national experts,” said Mayor Corbett. “We’ll use that assistance to create an environment where the healthy choice the easy choice in our city.” Finalist communities will be selected and notified in early February.

 

The Cedar Rapids Blue Zone Committee will host a Blue Zone Ambassador Kickoff event tonight at 5:00 p.m. in the Clarke Alumni House at Coe College. The Blue Zone Power 9 Board of Directors will be introduced, which includes Mayor Corbett. Coe College and Sodexo are sponsoring this special event.

All attendees willing to encourage their friends, family, coworkers and neighbors to pledge their support for Cedar Rapids’ bid to become a Blue Zone Community will receive a free Ambassador Kit sponsored by Hy-Vee, Rockwell Collins, Linn County Public Health and GetActiveCR.com. The kit includes a Blue Zones book, t-shirt, and other Blue Zone information.

 

Mayor Corbett urges everyone who lives, works and plays in Cedar Rapids to help us become a healthier community by pledging their support online for the City’s application to the state Blue Zones Project. To pledge support for the City’s application, please go to www.GetActiveCR.com. Be sure to include "Cedar Rapids" and one of the local zip codes between 52401 and 52411 when registering. There is no cost to pledge support for this initiative. The deadline is January 31, 2012.

 

The Blue Zones Project is a community-by-community movement to improve the well-being of Iowans. The project focuses on permanent environmental and policy changes that will make the healthy choice the easy choice in each community. Ten communities that demonstrate the greatest passion, interest and ability to bring their community together will receive direct support from the Blue Zones Project Team and national experts in transforming into a Blue Zone Community. This project supports Governor Terry Branstad’s Healthiest State Initiative which aims to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation in five years. Learn more at www.BlueZonesProject.com.

 

Learn more about the City’s application to become a Blue Zone Community at www.Cedar-Rapids.org.