11 Wright County Organizations Awarded Neighborhood Health Connection Grants

How can neighborhoods and organizations in Wright County help keep the community keep healthy? They will have an opportunity to find out as recent recipients of the Health Activity Grants from Allina Health.  

The grants support group activities that "promote social connections and increase healthy behaviors."  The ranging from $500 to $5,000, are part of Neighborhood Health Connection, a community program developed by Allina Health that gives people the tools they need to create neighborhood connections and healthier communities.

“Interest in these grants was high,” says Ruth Olkon, manager of Community Programs for Allina Health. “We received a total of 243 applications from throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Clearly, there is a lot of interest in making communities healthier, and we were impressed with the caliber and creativity of the ideas presented.”

Among those awarded the grants in Wright County include:

St. Michael

• St. Michael Elementary School - Geocaching activity for St. Michael Elementary students.

Hanover  

• Neighborhood Group - Health education and cooking classes at the St. Michael Senior Center.

Buffalo

• Buffalo Community Center - Equipment to start a ping pong group for older adults. 
• Buffalo Covenant Church - Sports camp and Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) “Mommy and Me” fitness program.
• Central Minnesota Mental Health Clinic - Community garden to promote healthy eating.
• Early Childhood Family Education BHM Schools - Healthy eating classes, learning how to prepare frozen family dinners and encouraging parents and young children to try healthy foods.
• Fitness Evolution - Health and wellness equipment and classes for seniors

• Rockford Area Historical Society - Event that brings together Rockford and Greenfield community residents for a healthy meal and fresh produce. 
• Crow River Food Co-op - Healthy food for neighborhood cookouts and cooking instructor.

Howard Lake 

• Independent School District 2687 - Purchase supplies to support health-promotion activities for middle-school youth in Howard Lake

• Gardening World Wide - Community gardening support and promotion for families, including a garden tour for neighbors to share their gardens with others