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Public Service Announcement

NOVEMBER 16, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact

MDI Community Health Plan 288-8616
Health-Link 667-2474
Blue Memorial Hill Hospital/Health Education Center 374-2836 ext 2131

8 Countries Celebrations!

We've been there and back and it's time to celebrate! Participants in the 8 Countries physical activity challenge are invited to join together and walk in the annual Ellsworth Downtown Community Christmas parade on December 1st, then immediately following attend a celebration party at the Downeast Family YMCA. Participants who wish to walk in the parade should meet at "About Women" at 8 Union Street at 10:00AM in either a costume representing one of the 8 countries, as an angel or as you are. All students, under 15 years of age, must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

The goal of this challenge was to increase physical activity among the people of Hancock County while demonstrating that physical activity can be enjoyable. More than 1,000 Hancock County residents including students, business people and individuals, took the opportunity to improve their health by completing this 8 week "virtual journey", a program designed to guide participants as they "visit 8 Countries without leaving Maine". Each week a newsletter highlighting facts about a "country" in Maine and an actual country was distributed and a Fitness Tip fact sheet was distributed bi-weekly.

Healthy Hancock, a coalition of organizations working together for health through Health Maine Partnerships, sponsored this program to foster and promote physical activity. The celebration and prizes are being sponsored by Healthy Hancock and area businesses.

For more information on the participation or the completion celebration please contact:
MDI Community Health Plan 288-8616,
Healthy Acadia 288-5082 ext 319,
Health Link 667-2474 or
Blue Hill Memorial Hospital / Health Education Center 374-2836 ext 2131.

* 8 Countries was created by Patti Leland-Hanson and designed by Patti Leland-Hanson and Jenny Gott and is owned by the MDI Community Health Plan.