Vermont Business Magazine In May 2017, Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) issued a goal to collect 100,000 jumps from its Jump Rope Challenge initiative in time for its 100th anniversary in June2018. They challenged attendees at several community events, participants from community groups, and students in area schools to jump rope for 1 minute and record their jumps. Each complete revolution of the jump rope added one point to SVHC’s running total. SVHC is proud to announce that our community has achieved 100,000 jumps.
“We are so proud of our community for the enthusiasm we experienced during the Jump Rope Challenge,” said Ray E. Smith, director of Marketing and Communications, who leads outreach activities. “We are thrilled that we met this goal ahead of our June target, and would like to thank our community, schools, and MAYCA for their help and participation.”
Jumps from participants at the following events were counted: Mayfest, Bennington, May 2017; Cancer Center Community Crusaders Day of Celebration, Bennington, June 2017; The Blueberry Festival in Wilmington and Dover, July 2018; Garlic Festival, Bennington, September 2017; Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems Health Fair, Montpelier, February 2018; and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Health Fair, North Adams, MA, February 2018.
Leaders and participants in the MAYCA Studio program encountered the Jump Rope Challenge at Mayfest in 2017 and were eager to get involved.
“Our goals are to promote healthy bodies and healthy minds and to help kids be active and involved in their community,” said MAYCA Studio Owner Jaime Capriola-George said. “So this project is a great fit for our program.”
Over the course of 3 months, 70 MAYCA participants logged an impressive 46,043 jumps for SVHC’s Jump Rope Challenge. They used it as an opportunity to challenge themselves, topping their previous number of jumps in each session, Capriola-George said.
“SVHC’s Jump Rope Challenge really inspired our participants to reach for their personal best in a fun way,” Capriola-George said.
Students at Bennington Elementary, Molly Stark Elementary, Monument Elementary, and the Village School of North Bennington participated in the Jump Rope Challenge on Wednesday, February 14th, the 100th day of school this year. The day was chosen to correspond with the health system’s 100th anniversary. Each student attempted to jump rope up to 100 times and received a free jump rope from the SVHC. The top jump roper of each class received a water bottle and SVHC bracelet as a prize. A total of 50 prizes were awarded, and 760 students received jump ropes to take home. The estimated total jumps reached was 19,000.
Building on the success of their Jump Rope Challenge, SVHC will attempt to claim the world record for the largest jump rope race on June 10, 2018—the day of its actual hundredth anniversary. No record for the largest jump rope race has ever been set. The jump rope race will be a part of a day of celebration called Centennial Community Day. All are invited. Free food, games, performances, and more are planned for 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center campus in Bennington. To learn more about Centennial Community Day, visit svhealthcare.org.
Those interested in joining the record-making jump rope race will get an SVHC jump rope. Registration is available in coordination with the United Counseling Service’s Go the Distance 5K Race, which is planned for the same day. To register, visit active.com.
About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices. For more information, visit svhealthcare.org.
Source: BENNINGTON, VT—May 11, 2018—Southwestern Vermont Health Care