Dear Mayor:

I want to welcome those of you who recently were elected or selected to lead your communities.  The League stands ready to partner with you to tackle the challenges we face together in the weeks and months ahead.

Today I am writing you to let you know about a unique program we have put in place to tackle one of the most important issues facing our state.  The New Jersey League of Municipalities has joined with the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute in an innovative effort to fight obesity, particularly childhood obesity, in our state.  Known as the “Mayors Wellness Campaign” (MWC), the effort supports mayors as champions of community health.  

The goal of the MWC is to increase opportunities for New Jersey residents to participate in daily physical activity with a long-term goal of reducing health care costs secondary to obesity.  Through public-private partnerships, the MWC provides structure and resources for healthy community initiatives.  By encouraging mayors to play a leadership role in supporting local opportunities for active, healthy lifestyles, the intent of the MWC is to improve health and make New Jersey a national leader in community-based health interventions.

Already more than 170 communities have joined our effort.  New Jersey is truly becoming a leader in the promotion and advocacy of community wellness through active living and healthy lifestyles.  In fact, I am encouraged more and more each day that we will meet our goal of reducing obesity in our state by 5% by the year 2010.

Now we need more of you to come on board.  I need your help to gain the official support of your town for this worthy endeavor by passing a resolution, signing a proclamation, or going online to www.mayorswellnesscampaign.org and agreeing to the “Online Pledge.”  For a sample resolution and proclamation “click here”.  It’s easy.  At the bottom of the MWC homepage is a link which says “Sign Your Pledge Here.”  Simply provide the contact information as instructed and you will be an official member of the Mayors Wellness Campaign.  It is important that you provide the MWC with the name of a contact person in your office so that they can keep you updated on new programs and activities.

I hope you will take the time to go on line right now and take the MWC pledge!

Very truly yours,

                                                                        William G. Dressel, Jr.
                                                                        Executive Director