LEWISTON – Healthy Androscoggin gathered for the fifth annual Get Fit and Win closing event at L/A Wellness Weekend on June 5. Many of the 880 participants brought family and friends to celebrate their dedication to increasing their physical activity over the past eight weeks.

The day began with a kick-off fun walk led by Healthy Androscoggin’s Physical Activity Committee member and Lewiston Public School School Health Coordinator Regis Beaulieu.

The walk, which was open to Get Fit and Win participants and the public, was a scenic route through Railroad Park and the River Walk. After completing the walk, participants joined other L/A Wellness Weekend attendees in Festival Plaza for the Get Fit and Win Celebration raffle.

“Bringing the Get Fit and Win celebration to L/A Wellness Weekend gave participants another opportunity to learn more about options for physical activity right in their community. I hope that the many exhibitions and races inspired the participants to continue with their success and to try something new,” said Darlene Thompson of Tambrands-P&G, member of the Healthy Androscoggin Physical Activity Committee.

Cash prizes were drawn for three winners. Roger Jalbert won $250 and Bonnie Galway won $500. The big winner, Deb Werts, was also the Get Fit and Win coordinator for her worksite, Geiger Bros. She said, “My goal in the Get Fit and Win program this year was to increase duration and intensity of my workouts in order to be physically fit enough to enter the L/A Wellness Weekend 5K Fun Race. You can imagine my excitement at not only finishing this race, my first in about 15 years, but also to be the recipient of the most generous check.”

Area businesses also donated door prizes for the raffle.

Healthy Androscoggin is funded in part by the Fund for a Healthy Maine. Its mission is to improve the health of Androscoggin County residents by encouraging tobacco-free and substance-free lifestyles, healthy eating and increased exercise. For more information about this and other health-related events/resources, people should call 795-5990.