Last night over 50 go!PEI Community Champions from across the province joined in Hunter River to celebrate the one-year anniversary of go!PEI and launch year two of the go!PEI movement, says Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram.
“go!PEI is a preventative health program, encouraging and supporting Islanders to live healthier lives through physical activity and healthy eating. Our government is pleased to provide funding to make this initiative happen,” said Minister Bertram. “This week we have been celebrating the go!PEI anniversary and recognizing the outstanding work of go!PEI Community Champions throughout our province. These individuals provide the grass-roots leadership to aid in the success of the program. Empowered by the success of this initiative after only one year, we are pleased to announce that go!PEI will continue for a second year.”
This initiative is community-based and offers free physical activity and healthy eating programs for Islanders across Prince Edward Island. It is designed around providing information and supports to assist Islanders to make simple changes to their lifestyle to improve their overall health and quality of life.
Over the past year, go!PEI has offered more than 100 programs and events, had more than 9,600 people take part in these programs, and seen more than 5,300 Islanders pledge to make a lifestyle change related to their physical activity and healthy eating.
“go!PEI is changing people’s lives. I see it every week with the learn to run program in Kensington. People are making changes to last a lifetime,” said Lynn-Anne Hogan, Community Leader, go!Kensington.
“Not only has the introduction of this program to our community helped to improve the quality of life of our residents physically, it has also allowed us to foster a supportive community network of volunteers and residents, working together for a common goal, and showcasing our community spirit,” said Joan Young, Community Leader, go!Murray Harbour.
“Thank you to all the go!PEI Champion Leaders in communities across the province. These people are directly responsible for engaging thousands of Islanders in the first year of the program,” said Beth Grant , Executive Director of Recreation PEI.
For more information on go!PEI, visit www.gopei.ca.