Blue Valley Rec was recognized for its commitment to creating a healthier community with the Blue Cross Blue Shield BlueCHIP Award. Commission chair Cindy McAlister accepted the award at the 2013 Kansas Recreation and Park Association (KRPA) Annual Conference and Trade Show at the Manhattan Conference Center. A check in the amount of $2,500 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City also came with the award to aid in healthy programming efforts.
The BlueCHIP award is a community health improvement program designed to recognize and reward Kansas communities who encourage and support healthy lifestyles through programs, initiatives, policies and/or community-wide events.
“Promoting health and wellness through recreation is one of the most important goals of Blue Valley Recreation,” said executive director Steve Baysinger. “This award is a reflection of the positive impact our staff, programs, and facilities make in our community.”
Blue Valley Rec partnered with Girls on the Run of Johnson County as the first parks and rec agency in Johnson County to provide a life-changing character development program for girls in grades 3-8. The program combines running and life-skills lessons to help raise a generation of confident and strong young women. Trained female coaches take the girls through a 10-week curriculum, which prepares the girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.
“We are excited and appreciative of the recognition,” said Baysinger. “Earning the BlueCHIP Award will provide the opportunity to build on this success and reach more people in Blue Valley.”
A selection committee comprised of representatives from Healthy Kansas Schools, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, KRPA, and BCBS awarded winners in three categories: small (population of 30,000 and under), large (population of 30,001 and more), and Johnson/Wyandotte Counties.