In December, Ozarka College was awarded The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas grant, which will help fund a Comprehensive Health and Safety Program. On January 7, 2015, Ozarka College was presented a check for $46,909 from the Blue & You Foundation.  

In an effort to promote healthier lifestyles, part of the $46,909 awarded to Ozarka College will be used to initiate a Cardio Wellness and Fitness Challenge. Ozarka College students, employees, and the general community alike will all be challenged to adopt healthier, more active lifestyles.    

To do this, Ozarka College has set a goal for participants to log at least 10,000 heart-healthy miles, collectively, all while on a journey to a healthier life.   The College invites all who are interested, regardless of ability or skill level, to participate in this fitness challenge.   Whether you like to run, walk, bike, roll, or swim for fitness, please join us and contribute your mileage.

"Everyone's New Year's resolution is to exercise more, and this is a fun way to do it, " said Patrick O'Sullivan, Executive Director of the Blue & You Foundation. "We hope that providing this grant to the Melbourne community will encourage people to log their exercise miles toward the community-wide goal of 10,000 miles. "

Registration to join the Fitness Challenge is free, and to further incentivize active lifestyles, the top three mileage contributors will be awarded a cash prize at the end of the challenge.   Simply pick up an application at any of our Ozarka College campus locations, at the Paul Miller Fitness Center, or access online at www.ozarka.edu/fitnesschallenge.    

Please return completed forms to Stacy Gore, Ozarka College Fitness Center Coordinator, PO Box 10, Melbourne, Arkansas 72556.   Once participants have completed the application, they will be provided with information on how to track and submit their miles.  

For more information about the Fitness Challenge, please contact Stacy Gore at 870.368.2090 or email: stacy.gore@ozarka.edu