At FletcherPR, we are so excited to be working with the Knox County Health Department. One project we are right in the middle of is addressing how leadership, environment and business all impact our overall community health.

Kick-Off Reception

• More than 100 community leaders, elected officials and neighborhood organizers attended a reception last week to kick-off the Knox County Health Department’s (KCHD) Eat Play Live series of events.
• Mari Gallagher, a food desert expert, shared how communities can improve access to healthy food.
• Mayors Burchett and Rogero both participated in the program along with Martha Buchanan, Director KCHD and James Bosi, chair of the Knoxville-Knox County Food Policy Council.
• Charlotte Tolley received the Robert L. Wilson Award for her leadership on food access in Knoxville.

Neighborhood Community Day Events

• This spring, the neighborhoods of Inskip, Lonsdale and Mascot will each host a community day to address some of their specific needs.
• The neighborhood organizations and leaders in these communities have been working with KCHD staff and other partners to plan these hands-on work days.
• They have each identified the key areas for which their neighborhood needs some extra help and attention.
• From tree plantings, to walking routes and from community gardens to horseshoe pits – these groups will accomplish a lot toward their goals of creating healthier opportunities for themselves and their neighbors.

My Opinion

• I really like the description of Eat Play Live (to the right). Yes, I was involved in helping write I but … it puts the need for action squarely in our own courts.
• As a sidebar, I really look forward to playing queen of the hill on the mini-play mountains in the Mascot park, myself.