Seven Oakland County 'healthy' projects get Brooksie Way Minigrant funding for 2013

The Michigan Senior Olympics, a healthy eating program for children and wellness expo are among seven Oakland County programs that received nearly $8,000 in funding through The Brooksie Way Minigrant program. The awards were handed out last Thursday by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson during a press conference at the Executive Office Building in Waterford. Since the minigrant program began nearly three years ago, 82 grants have been given out totaling more than $97,000. "The Brooksie Way Minigrant program is proving to be extremely popular," Patterson said. "It helps local communities by supplying programs that promote good health. Since its inception, it has returned to the communities nearly $100,000 in grants. I'm delighted to make those awards in my son's name." The Brooksie Way Half Marathon presented by HealthPlus is a series of races held annually the last Sunday of September each year. The race is named in memory of Brooks Stuart Patterson, the son of the county executive, who died after an accident in 2007. Proceeds from the race help fund the Brooksie Way Minigrant program. This year's races are set for Sept. 29. "HealthPlus has been the sole presenting sponsor of The Brooksie Way since its inception because the race provides individuals the means to take responsibility for their personal wellness while event proceeds provide crucial funding for county health programs," said Raj Bajpai, HealthPlus director of product marketing. Patterson created The Brooksie Way Minigrant program to use race proceeds to promote healthy, active lifestyles for Oakland County residents. Minigrants are awarded three times a year. The maximum award is $2,000. Grant guidelines and applications are available on The Brooksie Way website, www.TheBrooksieWay.com, and are reviewed three times a year. The 2013 Brooksie Way Minigrants were awarded to: Oakland Schools - Great Start Collaborative The award will fund "Eat Smart, Move More," an initiative of Great Start-Oakland focused on providing education for early childhood professionals and families of young children. The goal is to prevent childhood obesity by encouraging healthy eating habits and promoting physical activity. Michigan Senior Olympics - Rochester The Michigan Senior Olympics will purchase new equipment for the 2013 Summer Games, including: table tennis balls, archery targets and badminton shuttlecocks. McLaren Oakland - Pontiac McLaren Oakland will use the award to teach American Heart Association Family & Friends CPR classes in Clarkston, Ortonville, Pontiac, and Waterford. The goal is to have 30 adults participating in each class. The program will instruct, as well as allow for hands-on practice with mannequins, choking and CPR for infants, children and adults. City of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills created a community-based walking program, Auburn Hills Senior Striders, for seniors age 50. The program is designed to encourage physical activity and social interaction while gaining the health benefits of regular exercise. Judson Center, Inc. - Royal Oak The Yoga Project is designed to help heal mind, body and spirit, and consists of yoga classes once a week with an experienced instructor specially trained to teach kids. The project will help kids let go of aggressive behaviors by encouraging relaxation, building self-esteem, reducing physical pain, and aiding in emotional regulation. Royal Oak Community Coalition The Community Coalition in partnership with the South Oakland YMCA will sponsor a "Holistic Health and Wellness Expo" for Oakland County residents and families on March 16 at the South Oakland YMCA. Rochester DDA The Rochester Fire & Ice Festival, the premier winter activity for families in Oakland County, took place last weekend. The award will be used to promote the festival's activities: ice skating, tube sledding, broom ball, dog sleds rides, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. Published: Tue, Jan 29, 2013