Barry Eaton District Health Department employees routinely contribute to a charitable donation fund during the year and then vote on the local charities and organizations that will receive the money, according to a health department media release. The vision of the health department is a community where everyone has the opportunity to live a long, health, and active life. To help fulfill that vision the employees recently donated $3,000 to local schools and humane societies in order to improve the health and wellness of schoolchildren and animals in local communities. 

 

 

(above) Kathy Pierce, from Maple Valley Schools, accepts a donation from BEDHD employees to help provide Maple Valley students with healthy eating and activities.

 

One of BEDHD’s strategies is to improve health; to provide every child with a strong, healthy start in life. To support that goal, employees chose to donate $200to each of the 12 school districts covering Barry and Eaton counties to contribute toward healthy foods and activities.

 

The funds might be used to pay for school lunches when a family may not be able to afford them, cold lunch packs sent home with students who otherwise might not have a meal at home, gym or exercise equipment, or even a school garden or greenhouse.

 

The Barry County Humane Society and the Eaton County Humane Society will each receive a $300 donation from BEDHD employees. Pets can contribute greatly to our mental health and well-being, helping to protect the public from possible diseases that can come from stray cats and dogs aligns with BEDHD’s strategy of protecting the community from potential health hazards.

 

The humane societies make a large impact in lowering stray animal populations through spay and neuter programs and connecting pets with loving homes.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(left) Tim Berlin from the Hastings Area School System, accepts a donation from BEDHD employees to promote healthy eating and activities for students in Hastings schools.