Dear Mayor:

This year’s 91st Annual League Conference will also mark the one-year anniversary of the launch of our Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) in partnership with the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute.  This first year has been a year of great success for our effort to get New Jersey on the path to healthier lifestyles and more active living and those achievements will be highlighted during the Conference. 

The Mayors Wellness Campaign activities at the League Conference will include:

• A special reception from 5:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the Sheraton featuring former Governor Jim Florio and Oprah “Doctor-in-Residence” Dr. Mehmet Oz.  (Governor Florio, his wife Lucinda and Dr. Oz serve as Honorary Chairs of the Mayors Wellness Campaign.)
• A presentation of $500 “MWC Mini-Grants” from Aetna, a major sponsor of the MWC, to four towns at the NJSLOM business breakfast on Friday morning at the Sheraton.  A fifth town will be honored with a crystal bowl for its MWC efforts.
• A League session “Mayors Wellness Campaign – Successes and Next Steps” on Wednesday afternoon will be devoted to the MWC and its efforts.  Governor Florio, Dr. Oz, Madison Mayor Ellwood “Woody” Kerkeslager and MWC Director Ann McDonald will make presentations.
• A booth on the exhibit floor will give Mayors and other local officials the opportunity to learn more about the MWC and give those who have not already pledged their support the chance to do so.

The MWC supports mayors as champions of community health.  The MWC toolbox and website make it easier to bring evidence-based programs to your community.  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.

Seventy-three towns have now pledged their support to the Mayors Wellness Campaign by either filling out a simple on-line pledge (www.mayorswellnesscampaign.org) or by passing a Council Resolution or signing a Mayoral Proclamation.  We would like to see ALL New Jersey towns support this effort and urge you to take the time to do so!

Thank you for your time and support and I will see you in November.