Vitality Project 2010

On October 13, 2009, around 500 people gathered at the high school gym to hear the results of the Vitality Project and to see what’s next for Albert Lea. The results showed that on average, 3.1 years of life was added to the participants’ lives. More importantly was community participation in the projects. 700 people joined a walking moai, 1,000 people attended purpose workshops, cooking classes were well attended, and 1,700 people attended a neighborhood picnic.

A committee has been formed to take the concepts of the project forward into 2010 and beyond. Plans are in the works for more moais – walking, biking, dancing, horseback riding, etc. Cooking classes will be available, additional Community Gardens will be tilled in the Spring, three new purpose workshops will be offered, etc. A booklet for 2010 was distributed at the celebration, if you’d like more information, pick up a copy at the Community Development office, or click here for a pdf version. For more information on the initiative, visit the National Vitality Center website.

In addition to these plans for the community, the committee will be opening a Vitality Center in the Jacobson Building. This facility will be available for community members and visitors to learn more about the project and to sign up for upcoming initiatives. The center will include a meeting room to be used as a gathering space and have computers available to take the Vitality Compass. Blue Zones related merchandise will also be for sale.

The committee received $10,000 each from AARP and United Health Foundation to help fund this project. Albert Lea Medical Center also donated $27,000. A fundraising effort will be underway to raise the rest of the money needed to complete the project. If you have time, materials, or dollars you would like to contribute, please contact Bob Graham in the Community Development office, 507-377-4316 or bgraham@city.albertlea.org.