Members of Activate Alliance recently gathered at the Box Butte General Hospital Wellness Center to host a community forum, celebrating the success of several projects in the past few years and developing a plan to continue motivating people in Alliance to lead healthy and active lives.
At the forum, members discussed the status of several projects that have come to fruition since the group first met in May of 2019, such as the crosswalk beautification projects, the purchase of additional signage and the launch of the community bike share program.
“I thought the meeting went really well,” said Jessica Davies, Assistant Director of Panhandle Public Health District. “What we had planned was to get input and to give people a progress update. It’s important to share what has happened, and I truly mean it when I say, it has been incredible what this committee has done, even with COVID. There has been a lot of progress, and people have been very, very intentional with what they are doing. It’s just impressive how many partners remain committed to what is happening.”
Dan Newhoff, with Box Butte General Hospital noted that the successes the group has seen will help the momentum continue to grow.
“We definitely have a lot of success that we’re riding from,” Newhoff said. “It’s always good to get new ideas, and I think people brought that here. The exciting thing is that it’s organic: people are doing things, and things are getting done in the community. I think we’re one step closer.”
The initiatives launched by Activate Alliance have helped the community to become a regional leader, setting the benchmark for other communities in the Panhandle to strive toward with projects to encourage their citizens to become active.
“Rushville and Gordon are doing crosswalks now, and Chadron wants to do a bike share program that’s similar,” Davies said. “That’s what we love to see as Public Health, because, that’s that positive momentum of community spirit that they can raise up.”
Newhoff said from the hospital’s perspective, the group is helping to achieve their mission of promoting wellness.
“I think the biggest thing that keeps people from becoming stagnate is action,” said Newhoff. “When there’s no action, at least having communication. I think that it’s worked out good.”
Janelle Visser, with Panhandle Public Health District noted that despite there being turnover within the city administration, the people in those roles have not lost sight of the overall goal. Davies said each of the city departments have supported the goal of promoting active living in Alliance.
“The city has been working on their comprehensive plan, and this is definitely important to them,” said Visser.
Those in attendance at the meeting gathered in groups to identify the organization’s strengths and opportunities that they can tap into. Activate Alliance is continually searching for more community members to get involved. They meet virtually every month to discuss upcoming projects. Those who are interested in joining are encouraged to contact Newhoff at Box Butte General Hospital, or Davies or Visser at Panhandle Public Health District.