By by Lee Weyhrich
While many people bemoan the health problems in the state of Alabama, Dana Pickern and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians are doing something about it.
The "Walk Across America" program will begin Monday with a "Kickoff Walk" at the track behind the gym at the reservation.
According to documentation obtained from the Poarch Creek Indians, the Walk Across America Club is a free program sponsored by the Wellness and Activities Department of the reservation. It is a three month program used to encourage participants to increase their physical activity. The program is not designed to be a weight-loss activity.
Dana Pickern of the Wellness and Activities Department said the program was designed to fight health problems afflicting the community.
"It's a joint effort between the Wellness and Activities Department and the Health Department," Pickern said. "We're working together to get people into shape."
The registration period for the program ended Friday, but Pickern was excited about the possibilities of the program.
"This is the first year we've done this," Pickern said. "We're going to have three walks (March 7, April 7 and May 9) and we're going to give out prizes after each walk.