WILTON- Healthy Community Coalition’s Work Healthy! award program recognized seven businesses and organizations for their work on promoting good health for their employees at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce meeting on June 17.

The program was adapted from Healthy Androscoggin’s successful work place wellness award program. Work Healthy! is focused on encouraging businesses and organizations to support tobacco-free lifestyles, encourage physical activity, and promote good nutrition.

Accepting their respective awards were Mary Nelson, TD Bank North; Diane Macomber, Camden National Bank; Ann Bryant, Lewiston Sun Journal; Leeanne Dimaio, Western Maine Community Action; Marcia Miller, Maine Department of Health and Human Services; Ann Allison, Notify MD; and Laurie Gardner, University of Maine at Farmington.

Applicants to the program, businesses and organizations, have realized that a healthier workforce is beneficial to all involved. It benefits employees to have their employer promoting health. For the employer this translates into reduced absenteeism, lower health care costs, improved productivity and healthy, happier employees.

Healthy Community Coalition provides interested worksites free technical assistance, educational materials and support to employers in their attempt to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles for their employees.

Any business or organization that would like to participate in the program is encouraged to contact HCC at 645-3136 or toll free at 1-800-525-3136. Work Healthy! is a program of the local Healthy Maine Partnership.