Allina's 2006 Healthy Community Award Winners.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Allina Hospitals & Clinics presented its annual Healthy Community Awards to two organizations at Allina's 2006 Annual Meeting on June 14. The awards recognize community organizations that promote health outside the traditional health care setting. The award recipients were Owatonna Public Library Community Garden and the Minneapolis Public Schools.

"These award winners demonstrated extraordinary commitment to improving community health," said Dick Pettingill, president and CEO, Allina Hospitals & Clinics. "Award winners were chosen for their creativity in inspiring healthy living beyond the traditional health care setting. These two organizations understand that the roots of good health are in the community and are finding different ways to help individuals live healthier lives."

Owatonna Public Library Community Garden received an award for their efforts to bring diverse members of the Owatonna community together to provide low-income and at-risk children the experience of growing beautiful flowers and fresh organic vegetables. The program began three years ago and consists of a team of young people from the Girl Scouts and the library's teen program along with library staff and a local master gardener who helps coach and mentor. Team members take home the garden vegetables and herbs for their families. The surplus is distributed to a community food shelf.

"It has been exciting to see these young people develop new skills and learn the value of teamwork," said Penny Jensen, assistant librarian, Owatonna Public Library. "In addition to learning gardening skills, the youth are getting exercise and learning how to eat healthier."

Minneapolis Public Schools received an award for their efforts in creating a healthier environment for their students by providing better food choices and increasing physical activity. The food service and physical education departments teamed up to make changes in the school lunch menus to include more salads and fresh vegetables and expanded the physical education curriculum to help all students engage in regular physical activity. This new physical education program has received both national and international recognition and will be replicated in schools in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

"Our lunch menu changes are allowing students to make healthier choices," said Rosemary Dederichs, food service director, Minneapolis Public Schools.

"We needed to change the way we teach physical education in the schools," said Jan Braaten, physical education and health lead, Minneapolis Public Schools. "Students who are not athletic struggle with the traditional curriculum. This way they can enjoy physical activity in a different way."

Allina's Community Benefit Program awards two recipients each year based on their ability to promote programs and services to improve community health by creating and sustaining environments that encourage healthy living. The Community Benefits Committee of the Allina Board selected these two organizations based upon recommendations received throughout the organization. Award recipients will each receive $5,000.

Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, 65 clinics, home care and hospice services, oxygen and equipment, pharmacies, and emergency medical transportation services. Allina Hospitals & Clinics and the latest health information can be found online at www.allina.com.