Healthy West Chicago to hand out survey at Railroad Days

Volunteers representing Healthy West Chicago are hoping for an enthusiastic response to a short survey they will be distributing and/or administering this weekend at Railroad Days in Reed-Keppler Park.

The survey, designed for those who live or work in the community, is the first step in engaging the public in efforts to create a long-range plan that focuses on improving fitness and nutrition through programs and resources that help "make the healthy choice the easy choice."

The survey, which can be completed in a few minutes, seeks information about attitudes toward healthy eating, physical activity and suggestions for improving both. It is the first of a multipronged approach to engage citizens on the topic of wellness.

The results of the survey, along with community focus groups that will be announced in the fall, will be used to help steer the direction of a strategic plan being developed through Seven Generations Ahead, a not-for-profit that promotes the development of ecologically sustainable and healthy communities.

The strategic plan, being funded by Cadence Health with contributions from WeGo Together for Kids and the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, will serve as a road map for future implementation of programs and services.

"This is an opportunity for all of us to take control of the future of our community at its very basic core level: the health of its people," Mayor Ruben Pineda said.

"We all have the power to be agents for positive change around nutrition and physical activity issues in our schools, homes, workplaces and community at large. The survey is our important first step."

Healthy West Chicago is a citywide initiative that has the support of a growing number of local organizations, including the city, the West Chicago Park District, the West Chicago Library District, the West Chicago Fire Protection District, West Chicago Elementary District 33, WeGo Together for Kids, Community High School District 94, Wheaton Academy, Benjamin Elementary District 25, FORWARD of DuPage County, Cadence Health, Aramark, People Made Visible, the Mexican Cultural Center, the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, the United Way DuPage/West Cook, Wheaton Bible Church, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District.

The Healthy West Chicago survey is also available at westchicago.org and may be completed online.