Eskridge taking part in Mayor’s Walking Challenge
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 3 years, 1 month AGO
Dover Mayor George Eskridge is pictured walking with his "running mate” and trusted companion, Charlie, who recently passed away.
(Courtesy photo)
DOVER — Mayor George Eskridge is one of a record 98 Idaho mayors who are participating in the Mayor’s Walking Challenge, a program of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health that promotes the importance of physical activity. The challenge takes place during October.
“I opted to join the challenge because walking is one of the easiest and best things people can do for their health,” Eskridge, the mayor of Dover, said. "In addition to the physical benefit, walking in and around the city of Dover gives me an opportunity to meet and get to know people in Dover and in individual conversations have an opportunity to learn first-hand their thoughts and concerns with what is going on in Dover.”
Eskridge said he also wanted to give the city a chance to be recognized along with 98 other communities.
“[Hopefully, I’ll] place us at or near the top in competition with our neighboring cities in meeting or exceeding the step goals in the statewide Mayor’s Walking Challenge,” he said.
Through the challenge, Idaho mayors can earn up to $1,000 for their efforts and have two chances to earn funds for their communities. If mayors walk an average of 5,000 steps a day during the month, they will earn $500 for their community. If they walk an average of 10,000 steps a day, they will earn $1,000
Eskridge is on track to earn $1,000 for Dover as his average daily step count is over 14,500. Last year, Dover’s Council earned $1,000 and agreed to spend it on park improvements.
“Walking is one of the easiest and best things people can do for their health, and we appreciate the record number of Idaho mayors who are participating in the Mayor’s Walking Challenge,” said Kendra Witt-Doyle, executive director, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. “These mayors are doing something great for their own health while setting a good example and earning funds for their communities.”
Since the Mayor’s Walking Challenge became a statewide event in 2018, Idaho mayors have earned $271,000 for their communities. The funds have contributed to a variety of projects and programs that promote a healthy lifestyle across Idaho, including playgrounds, physical education equipment for schools, walking clubs, amenities at parks, scholarships for youth programs, and more.