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Colby United Methodist Church received the organizational honorable mention for the 2022 Kansas Health Champion Award.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Governor’s Council on Fitness (GCOF) presented the 2022 Kansas Health Champion Awards during the Community Health Promotion Summit today, Thursday, January 27.
The Health Champion Award was developed by the Governor’s Council on Fitness to recognize and promote exemplary contributions to fitness in Kansas. Those recognized include an individual and organization, as well as honorable mentions in each category.
Colby United Methodist Church (UMC) was selected as the 2022 Kansas Health Champion Organizational Honorable Mention. Colby UMC is an active member of the Health Fund’s Healthy Congregations program. Colby UMC has participated in programs that seek to address food insecurity, such as partnering with the school district and other organizations to support the Summer Food Service Program for their community. They have worked with the Thomas County Coalition to start a community garden and orchard, plus Colby UMC has worked with additional partners in the community to support a free bike share program.
Katie Schoenhoff, Health Fund director of programs, nominated Colby UMC. Schoenhoff said, “Colby United Methodist Church has long demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment and service to the health and wellness of both congregation and community, going beyond expectations to address not only immediate needs but also the underlying social determinants of health. Their partnerships with local organizations have supported both the sustainability of their efforts and increased community engagement.”
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