Health New England joined Mayor Richard Kos for his City of Chicopee Walking Challenge kick-off event on June 1, 2015. At the event, the mayor challenged his municipal associates to sign up for a unique and friendly fitness program asking his associates to walk on an average of 35,000 steps per week or 7,000 steps per day, for five days a week. As an incentive, if the associate completes their weekly challenge they receive a $25 monthly cash bonus.

Mayor Kos hopes that by implementing this wellness incentive program into the City of Chicopee it will help reduce employee absences and lower the city’s health insurance premiums. Health New England along with FieldEddy and Blue Cross Blue Shield, worked with Mayor Kos to develop a fitness program in which any City of Chicopee municipal employee for the city’s health insurance can participate.

It is Health New England’s mission to improve the health and life of the people in our community, and the Mayor Kos Walking Challenge is a prime example of how we can help make a difference in the communities that we serve. We are delighted to report that the City of Chicopee kick-off event was a very successful with a strong presence from Health New England and Maura McCaffrey, President & CEO, leading our pack!

Please see below photos of the kick-off event.

Photo left to right (Maura McCaffrey of HNE, Chris Jaskinski of HNE, Mayor Richard Kos of City of Chicopee).

Photo left to right (HNE associates: Yvonne Diaz, Jody Gross, Maura McCaffrey, Chris Jasinski, & Katie Hughes).

Photo left to right (City of Chicopee associate, Katie Hughes of HNE, and Chris Jaskinski of HNE).

HNE group over head view of the Mayor Kos Walking Challenge Kick-Off Event.