Western Wisconsin Health held its 2nd Annual Dash to Disney kick-off event on Monday, January 7, 2019 to start this year’s family-friendly 8-week community walking challenge. Nearly 500 people attended the event and a total of 619 participants registered for the challenge!
Guests were able to register, receive a Dash to Disney T-shirt, meet and greet with local heroes from EMS, fire and police departments, and enjoy family-friendly winter wellness activities including:
- Meet & Greet with the American and Amazonian Heroes from Occasions with Character and have their photo taken by Suzanne Wynveen Photography
- Meet Western Wisconsin Health’s mascot Healthy Hank
- Hot Cocoa Bar provided by Mocha Café on Main
- Healthy snacks from Nilssen’s
- Face painting by the Baldwin Royalty
- Caricatures with Dignity by Thomas Epp
- S’mores around a bonfire
- Snowshoeing with St. Croix County WI was planned, but cancelled due to weather
Participants will work together to achieve one goal: walking to Disney World! Throughout the challenge, participants (ages 5 and up) will virtually step to Walt Disney World as many times as possible in 8 weeks. If participants complete all 8 weeks of the challenge, successfully submitting their steps each week, they will be entered into a drawing to win a TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD!!
“It has been wonderful to see another overwhelming response from the community and the excitement surrounding this walking challenge for the second year in a row,” said Natasha Ward, Director of Community Health Improvement. “We can’t wait to see everyone’s progress throughout the challenge and who will win the trip this year!”
Jennifer Sarauer, local school teacher and mother of last year’s winner shared about their experience. “We had the most wonderful time and it is a trip we will all remember!! We want to thank Western Wisconsin Health so much for giving us this opportunity. My favorite quote from my 13 year old son when we walked into Magic Kingdom for the first time was, ‘I just can’t help but smile!’ It is definitely the most happy place on earth!!”
“To Infinity & Beyond” Sponsors: Bridge Investment Group, Travel Leaders and Thunder Country
“Tale as old as Time” Sponsors: St. Croix County Wisconsin, Suzanne Wynveen Photography, and WESTconsin Credit Union
“Hakuna Matata” Sponsors: Adoray Home Health & Hospice, American Family Insurance, Black Hawk Garage Door, Bremer Bank, First Bank of Baldwin, Homestead Veterinary Clinic, Mocha Café on Main, and Nilssen’s
The trip giveaway will be held at our Finale Event on March 5, 2019 at the Baldwin-Woodville High School Gym. Registered participants that have completed the challenge and are present at the finale event will be eligible for the grand prize. The grand prize trip will be received as a travel voucher that includes airfare and hotel (subject to tax) that must be used toward a Disney destination within a year of receipt.
For more information about wellness opportunities at Western Wisconsin Health, please visit wwhealth.org.