7:12 p.m. | 2003-04-17 Here�s To Your, Um, Health And Happiness. At MyWorkPlace, we have an employee-run program (ClubBeWell) that�s designed to raise morale and, promote health and fitness. Not an uncommon thing in the working world. Here�s how ClubBeWell works. They hold various fundraising events during the year in order to raise money to fund the Summer Picnic, Christmas Party and Employee Appreciation Day. In addition, monies are used to buy fitness equipment, engage speakers to discuss various health-related issues during lunch hours, and to purchase health-monitoring devices (i.e., blood-pressure machine, scale � doctor�s office style, heart-rate checkers, etc.). ClubBeWell also works to benefit the community by participating in walks/runs to raise money for breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. associations; has canned food drives to donate food to local shelters; organizes a volunteer program to cook and serve breakfast at a local women�s/children�s shelter a couple of times a year; does multiple blood donation drives a year; and makes other monetary donations to various charities. So far, so good right? I mean, they�re all beneficial pursuits that should make us all happy, healthy and fit. And, really, I do appreciate all their hard work and dedication. I participate in some ClubBeWell activities myself. The part that just warms my heart though, is the sheer irony of the program. Here are some examples. The Fitness Equipment We have a fitness room in our building. I�ve never been in it because, well, I don�t work out. From what I understand though, ClubBeWell has managed to purchase things such as a Stairmaster, weights, and stationary bicycles, which are shoved into a teeny tiny room with no ventilation. And, there are no lockers or showers. Consequently, not too many people use it, and those who do, don�t work out hard enough to break a sweat because they can�t shower afterwards. Plus, they must drag their workout gear to and from work because there�s no place to store such items. The Christmas Party/Company Picnic Money is solicited from our pockets to fund these social events. However, in addition to the money we donate throughout the year, the events themselves still cost us at least an additional $20. The reason is twofold. One, they give most of the money to charities so they run out. Two, they buy prizes for us to win at these events to make us happy. And, they�re good �prizes� so they cost a lot. So, in the end, we buy the prizes we �win�. The Fundraisers This is my most favorite part. They raise most of the money through various fundraisers they hold throughout the year. They do this by selling us things such as the following. Fancy coffee and donuts. Nachos and sodas. Cookies, brownies, and other baked items. Hot dogs, chips and sodas. Breakfast burritos with eggs, sausage, cheese and potatoes. Rootbeer floats. Ice cream. They bring all those things to your desk so you don�t have to walk anywhere. Then, on Employee Appreciation Day, they feed us fruit and bagels - which they don't deliver to us. Because, you know, our health is very important. And, we should eat right, exercise and take care of ourselves. They want to encourage us to do just that. Really, it says so in the newsletter they put out. Personally, I love ClubBeWell because they always make me laugh. And, laughter is the best medicine. You know? your thoughts? seed flower