Run and Read a Marathon, offered through the Wellpowered Schools program and supported by Cheshire Medical Center, is a fun and engaging way to get area youth excited about intellectual and physical agility by incorporating reading with the annual Kid's DeMar Marathon!
Building off of the successful Run and Read initiative, which provided free books to families during well visits at area hospitals, the Run and Read a Marathon program was faced with an opportunity for growth: How do we increase access for children during a time when fewer people are attending well visits? The solution: expanding into local libraries and schools!
"We love this program because it creates collaboration with our local libraries and enhances local literacy and health initiatives in the Monadnock Region," says Marissa Mannion-King, youth wellness coordinator & dream fulfillment officer at the Center for Population Health, Cheshire Medical Center. She adds, "The program is designed to be flexible, so each library, school, and hospital can tailor the program to fit their organization's capacity and community best served. Which was very important to us when we were looking to expand into our community."
As a result, the Run and Read a Marathon has engaged with 14 participating local libraries, schools, and hospitals. Over 900 physical activity-themed books were distributed to our area youth at no cost in the past year. In addition, kids participating in the program receive race-themed reading trackers, stickers, Brag Tags, a certificate of completion when they finish the program and information on how to sign up for the Kid's Demar Marathon, which takes place every fall.
Join us! If you want to participate in the Read a Marathon program in January 2024, contact Marissa Mannion-King, Youth Wellness Coordinator (mmannion-king@cheshire-med.com), to learn more about this community benefit.
Wellpowered Schools, a program offered through the Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center, is available to local schools interested in improving the health and well-being of their students. With help from a personal Wellness Advisor, organizations receive tools and resources to enhance their school culture. These resources are offered through Cheshire Medical Center as a community benefit, meaning schools receive these resources at no cost.