Community health improvement initiatives
Health resourcesPersonal health and community health can mean different things to different people.We're finding out from residents in the communities we serve how we can help make better health a reality for everyone. As a result, we're working with our communities to:
Neighborhood Health ConnectionResearch shows that people with strong community connections and positive social support are healthier and happier. Neighborhood Health Connection aims to help neighbors make new personal connections and strengthen existing ones through healthy activities. Learn more at neighborhoodhealthconnection.org. Ellie Zuehlke, Allina's director of community benefit and engagement, explains why Allina decided to round up, repair and give bikes - and bike helmets - to 5,000 children. ![]() Volunteers at Allina Medical Clinic - St. Michael load donated bikes onto a truck rented for the occasion. See more bikes and great volunteers in our photo album on facebook. Free Bikes 4 KidzAllina Hospitals & Clinics is partnering with Free Bikes 4 Kidz, a non-profit organization geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need. Twelve hundred bikes were given away in 2010. This year's goal is 5,000. "Biking can be a life-long pastime. Many of our employees are avid cyclists, and we want to help make it possible for every child to participate in this healthy, fun and environmentally-friendly activity," says Kenneth H. Paulus, president and CEO of Allina Hospitals & Clinics. December 10, 2011: Bike giveawayAllina worked with community partners to identify kids in need. Twenty sites throughout Allina's service area will serve as hosts for this special giveaway event. During the statewide giveaway, Allina will provide free helmets and concussion information to all who receive bikes. The concussion information includes copies of "Always Wear Your Helmet," a bike helmet safety video featuring Ben Utecht, former Minnesota Gopher and Super Bowl champion.
November 2011: Bike cleanup and repairAllina employees, physicians and local partners volunteered time and expertise to refurbish bikes for their new owners. Volunteers included novices who cleaned bicycles and filled tires and mechanics who repaired bikes and did safety checks. Free Bikes for Kidz accepted bikes at more than 20 locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area. To find the bike collection location nearest you, go to fb4k.com/donate. October 2011: Bike collection day successOn Saturday, October 22, Allina made more than 50 hospital and clinic locations drop-off sites for donated bicycles. The collection garnered between 3,500 and 4,000 bikes according to Free Bikes for Kidz Executive Director Terry Esau. "We were up until 2 a.m. getting bikes into our Hopkins warehouse," Esau said. "We estimate we have over 3,000 bikes here and another 700 to 800 bikes in our east side warehouse." "More than 400 volunteers helped make this day a huge success," said Aimee Pappenfuss, manager of Allina's volunteerism program. A big thank you goes to everyone who stopped by with a bike or two at collection locations in these regions of Minnesota and western Wisconsin:
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