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News Release

DATE: April 26, 2010
CONTACT: Amy Nusbaum Rode
PHONE: (419) 695-8010

SAFY Steps Out For National Walk @ Lunch Day
Employees Join Tens of Thousands of Individuals Across the Country for Fourth Annual Workplace Fitness Event

(DELPHOS, Ohio) – Employees of Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth (SAFY) will participate in the National Walk @ Lunch Day event April 28 at noon at the SAFY Corporate Headquarters location on Elida Road. According to SAFY, approximately 350 employees and community members are expected to participate throughout SAFY’s 28 office locations throughout eight states including Ohio, Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. National Walk @ Lunch Day is an extension of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s WalkingWorks program.

National Walk @ Lunch Day is a workplace walking program which encourages people to take time during their lunch break to begin walking toward better health. Most Americans’ schedules are built around the workday, so National Walk @ Lunch Day is designed to fit into – not compete with – their daily routine.

"National Walk @ Lunch Day is designed as an easy way for our employees to fit some exercise into their busy lives," says Druann Whitaker, SAFY Chief Executive Officer. "The process is simple – just take a half hour walk at lunch. Making it a habit can contribute to an individual’s health and the overall health of the nation."

SAFY joins companies and employees nationwide hosting lunchtime walks. Many employers recognize the health benefits of incorporating walking into employees’ daily activities. Personal health benefits include managing weight, controlling blood pressure, decreasing risk of heart attack, boosting “good” cholesterol, lowering risk of stroke, lowering stress levels, relieving arthritis and back pain, strengthening muscles, bones, and joints, improving sleep, improving mood and an overall sense of well-being.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the cost to treat illness and chronic disease caused by inactive lifestyles is nearly $1,000 for every family in America, every year. Simply getting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as a brisk walk, at least five times a week has significant health benefits, lowering the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, hypertension or type 2 diabetes, and improving the health of muscles, bones and joints.

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About SAFY

For over 25 years, children who have experienced the worst in life have found hope through SAFY. More than the traditional foster care agency, SAFY is a private not-for-profit organization focusing on treatment, intervention, adoption and the placement of children whose intensive needs cannot be managed through traditional foster care. For more information contact SAFY at (419) 695-8010 or visit www.safy.org