LEWISTON – The Healthy Androscoggin Workplace Awards were presented at the monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfast Thursday. The awards recognize businesses and organizations in Androscoggin County that have placed a high priority on promoting good health for their employees in the areas of tobacco, physical activity and nutrition.

Those who were recognized at the gold level of participation were: Bates College, Tambrands Inc., Catholic Charities Maine, TD Banknorth, Hannaford Bros., Thayer Corp., Northeast Bank, USM/Lewiston-Auburn College, Sisters of Charity Health System, Central Maine Medical Center.

Silver award recipients were: Common Ties Mental Health Coalition, Maine Oxy, G.E. Industrial Systems, Superior Concrete, Hartford Agency, The Strainrite Cos., HRH Northern New England.

Bronze award recipients were: Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Department of Health & Human Services, Androscoggin Head Start & Child Care, Gleason Media Services, Central Maine Community College, Maine Machine Products, Concentra Medical Center and Richardson Hollow Mental Health Services.

Healthy Androscoggin, a coalition of local and state organizations working to improve the overall health of Mainers, sponsors its award program every year. It advocates that by supporting tobacco-free lifestyles, encouraging physical activity and/or promoting healthy eating, businesses realize the benefits of a healthier work force through reduced absenteeism, disability costs and health care costs; improved productivity and by saving money.

For more information about health programs at work, or to receive free technical assistance in creating and strengthening workplace wellness policies, contact Healthy Androscoggin at 795-5990 or info@healthyandroscoggin.org.