GONNELLA MAKES HEALTH AND WELLNESS A PRIORITY

Gonnella Baking Co. and Gonnella Frozen Products Inc., along with its health insurance partners Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and United Health Care, organized a series of Health and Wellness Fairs for employees in each of the Gonnella facilities during the months of April and May. These informative Health and Wellness Fairs were provided to help educate employees about the long-term benefits of making smart lifestyle choices to improve their health and well-being. Additionally, employees learned that taking the proper steps to reduce preventable illnesses can help reduce the rising cost of insurance premiums.

The Health Fairs were staged in convention-like style, with employees given the opportunity to visit individual provider booths. Blue Cross, for example, explained how to use their website (Blue Access for Members) at www.bcbsil.com, which allows members to follow their benefit activity and learn about discounts on hearing aids, vision examinations and other health-related products and services. The website also contains information about the advantages of choosing healthy activities and instituting lifestyle changes in nutritional planning and weight control, smoking cessation, engaging in an organized exercise program, and using the Blue Cross Personal Health Manager.

Blue Cross also explained their Blue Points Program, an incentive plan that allots a specific number of points to employees who make healthy lifestyle choices. Blue Points are earned upon the completion of a variety of healthy activities, and are redeemable for rewards.

Employees enjoyed visiting the booths where they could check their blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar level. They were also invited to receive a relaxing massage (no coaxing necessary) and visit with Employee Assistance Program personnel from Workplace Solutions.

Finally, after visiting all the booths, everyone was treated to a healthy and delicious lunch-the perfect ending to a day that was not only a welcome break from the normal work routine, but also served to promote camaraderie and goodwill among all participants. To add a little extra fun to the event, employees were eligible to win assorted raffle prizes, including a $50 gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods.

By all accounts, the program was a huge success. It will be offered on an annual basis to remind Gonnella employees about the value of healthy lifestyles choices and how they can enhance any individual's overall health and well-being.