Nine schools and two after-school programs got DDR equipment, so kids in Senatobia, Coldwater, Strayhorn, Friar's Point, Clarksdale, Charleston and Sumner are lining up for their turn on the the blood-pumping video game.

The students and staff at East Tate Elementary would like to thank Project TATE and the Community Foundation of NW Mississippi for the dance pads and electronic gaming system given to us this year.  Students and teachers have spent hours enjoying the fun interactions, not to mention, laughing at others as they attempt to keep up with the dance moves.  It has given a lot of joy to our students. 

Some students, who are not athletic enough for some of the gym activities, love to show up others with their dance skills.  One student, who is overweight for a third grader, is our best dancer in the school.  He told his teacher that he is never good at anything.  So, thank you for the chance to raise our students' self-esteem and give them something different to do in gym.  

           

                             

There are more than 1,000 churches in the network represented by members of the Advisory Board for the North Mississippi coalition which currently includes Michael O. Minor, Dean of the Hammond Hill (Baptist) Congress of Christian Education, Rev. Vicky Sizemore-Tandy, Superintendent for the Senatobia District of United Methodist Church, Dr. Bessie Tables, State Director of the New Educational (Baptist) State Convention of Mississippi, Hylon Oliver, Moderator of the Tunica County Baptist Association, Deborah Moore representing a network of Church of Christ congregations in the Mississippi Delta, Loretta Miller, Supervisor of the Central Region of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Sunday School Publishing Board, and Phyllis Sanford, Youth Director of the Memphis-Batesville District - AME Zion. Other faith traditions are welcomed in the effort to establish Health Ministries across North Mississippi.  

The Advisory Board promotes "Triune Wellness." Triune Wellness hearkens to complete health - mind, body, and soul, three parts but one person.  The Advisory Board utilizes the ten leading health indicators of the federal Healthy People 2010 project as a starting point for this multifaceted health initiative, which:

        Calls us all to take responsibility for lifestyle choices that impact our health and

        Encourages us to care for one another in the manner we are able; and

        Incorporates Triune Wellness into all aspects of what we do, living better, healthier lives.

Research and history has shown that even in areas like health, people trust information from their pastors and places of worship. In describing the traits of a pastor, the latest issue of the UM Connection, a publication of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, members of the Board of Ordained Ministers concluded, "People trust pastors with their lives in so many ways." The effort to establish and strengthen faith-based Health Ministries across north Mississippi is supported by an initiative of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi called Get a Life! 

Health Ministries take various forms in different congregations.  Obesity prevention, health care information, screenings, prevention methods for chronic diseases, wellness activities including liturgical dance, and even community gardens are among the things Health Ministries provide.

The advisory board feels that Health Ministries are a viable way to reach out beyond their own members to impact the communities where they serve.  "The rate of some chronic diseases is much higher in Mississippi than other parts of the country. Health is a critical area that we as faith leaders must call attention to. We must lead the way by example: doing more, giving more, and expecting more in the promotion of healthy lifestyles", said Minor, a driving force behind the regional effort and Pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Hernando.  

A regional conference in October 2009 will highlight best practices and provide training for start up of new efforts and growth for existing Health Ministries in faith-based organizations.  

As one lifelong Mississippian put it, "I want a better place to live...I just don't want to move away from Mississippi to get it!"

2007 PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS PRESENTED TO VOLUNTEERS!