Elected leaders walk to earn money for schools

The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health on Tuesday awarded $40,500 to Idaho public schools on behalf of the 53 legislators and constitutional officers who successfully completed the Steps for Schools walking challenge. 

The foundation hosted a ceremony at the Idaho State Capitol to celebrate the winners.

“We appreciate the efforts of the legislators and constitutional officers for supporting public schools by walking,” Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health Senior Program Officer Jackie Yarbrough said. “Walking is one of the best things people can do for their own health, and these elected officials set a great example by walking in the Steps for Schools challenge.”

Local officials who completed the challenge were Sens. Doug Okuniewicz and Ben Toews, and Reps.Joe Alfieri, Ron Mendive, Elaine Price, Jordan Redman and Tony Wisniewski.

Participants had two goals to shoot for in February, when Steps for Schools took place:

• Walk an average of 5,000 steps a day during February to earn $500 for the school or district

• Walk an average of 10,000 steps a day during February to earn $1,000 for the school or district

Each participant selected a public school or district to receive funds. Since the program began in 2015, more than $350,000 has been awarded to Idaho schools on behalf of participating legislators. 

Steps for Schools motivates participants to be active for their own health as well as the school of their choice.