For the sixth year, area residents and organizations will be recognized in June for their work in developing programs that make Central Nebraska a healthier place to live. The recognition is part of the Healthy Community Awards program, a unique opportunity to celebrate the good health of Kearney and Buffalo County citizens and those individuals and groups who, through their leadership, education and assistance, help make the community a healthier place to live.
Contributions from individuals and groups throughout the Kearney and Buffalo County community are significant in the continued efforts to keep this community a healthy place to live. Area residents are encouraged to nominate local individuals, businesses and organizations for their work in making the region a place to live. Nomination forms are available here. The deadline to submit a nomination is May 22 and forms should be returned to Marsha Wilkerson at Good Samaritan.
The Healthy Community Awards include a total of six categories—advocacy, education, prevention, partnership, leadership and recreation. A local advisory committee will select award recipients based on their contributions in a particular category.
The breakdown of each category is as follows:
- Advocacy is awarded to the group or individual who has creatively implemented health improvement or awareness programming on behalf of a specific population.
- Education is awarded to the group or individual who has provided health education opportunities and is an advocate of health within the community.
- Prevention is awarded to the group or individual who has provided a service or program that makes a significant contribution to preventing injury, illness or disease.
- Partnership is awarded to the group or individual who has actively partnered with Good Samaritan Hospital to provide health services in the community.
- Leadership is awarded to the group or individual who has shown outstanding leadership in the community by preventing, promoting or protecting health issues.
- Recreation is awarded to the group or individual who has shown outstanding leadership in organized sports—youth or adult—in the community.
Last year’s winners were:
- Prevention – Karen Triplett, Safe Kids
- Recreation – Dave Waggoner, Dave Waggoner Plumbing and Heating
- Education – NTV
- Partnership – Buffalo County Community Health Partners
- Advocacy – SAFE Center
- Leadership – Kearney Lions Club
A luncheon recognizing the Healthy Community Award winners will be held in conjunction with the Community Olympics on Friday, June 19.