SHIP still sailing for community health

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The city of Silver Bay has received $5,000 in grants to help make that area more bicycle friendly.

It has received a grant that would supply Silver Bay with eight bike racks, 50 helmets of various sizes, and enough money to hold a bicycle safety rodeo in September. It comes with the help of the Statewide Health Improvement Program.

“It [the rodeo] will be a collaborative effort of SHIP, Silver Bay Wellness and Active Living Coalition, North Shore Credit Union, the city of Silver Bay Police Department and Silver Bay Parks and Recreation,” said Lisa Cavallin, SHIP coordinator for Lake County.

Three signs will be purchased that show Silver Bay has been designated as a state “Fit City.”

It earned recognition by making a commitment to support and encourage residents to be more physically active and to improve the overall health of the community.

Silver Bay schools have also been involved in health awareness through SHIP. A wellness team was formed to look at more healthful eating options and the play “Pirates of the Carrot Bean” was put on to encourage students to eat better and become more active. There was also a health fair.

Silver Bay High School Principal Joe Nicklay said he wants any program to focus on sustainability so it can be used after grant funding runs out. That school is looking at constructing an apple orchard on land set aside by Cleveland Cliffs in Silver Bay.

A healthy snack cart was implemented at Silver Bay Elementary School.

This summer Two Harbors will also be involved in the SHIP process.

“We are in the planning stages of the worksite wellness program,” Cavallin said. “Local businesses are encouraged to participate in this exciting effort.” She said once the initiative starts she will know more about funding opportunities within SHIP.

Schools in Two Harbors could also be involved in a nutritional plan. “As of now we are just in the Silver Bay schools, but will reassess things with the district this summer about expanding efforts,” Cavallin said.

The reason Two Harbors wasn’t involved from the beginning is because the grant process prefers applicants to specify one school in each region that would have the most immediate impact. Silver Bay was chosen, said Dennis Henkel, the director of Lake County Human Services.

Last summer the Minnesota Department of Health awarded grants to areas throughout Minnesota for SHIP.

The northeast region, which includes Lake County, is one of the regions chosen to receive $2 million in funding the next two years.

Help out

- If you are interested in being involved with the worksite wellness program being implemented in Two Harbors by the Statewide Health Improvement Program, call SHIP Coordinator Lisa Cavallin at 834-8520. Emails can be sent to lisa.cavallin

@co.lake.mn.us.

Tags: two harbors, news, ship, silver bay, community health