Beth Wheeler, from the Foundation for Healthy Communities, was awarded the High Five Award by the New Hampshire Recreation and Parks Association (NHRPA) for her work with the CATCH Kids Club (CKC) program on May 21, 2010. High Five Award recipients are selected based on the following criteria: dedication, integrity, advocacy, benevolence, and longevity. The CKC helps after-school and summer program coordinators to develop programs to increase physical activity and nutrition awareness with the goal of preventing childhood obesity. Ms. Wheeler has worked with the NHRPA to create more access to CKC and established a NH training team to provide direct assistance to communities. CKC originally started with the Keene and Laconia Recreation Departments, and she has helped to expand it to 57 communities throughout our state. Funding support for CKC expansion has been provided by the Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation.

Ms. Wheeler and the Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation were recognized on May 28 by Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health for their work on CKC. Their combined effort to expand the CATCH Kids Club program in New Hampshire received an Outstanding Achievement Award in a ceremony at the State House in Concord.

Ms. Wheeler and Andy Bohannon from Keene at the NH Recreation and Parks Association event.