Sullivan 180 Will Participate in the 10th Annual Hudson Valley Gives
Funds Raised will support Turtle Awards for our Schools and Fire Departments
[Liberty, NY] – Sullivan 180 will participate in the 10th Annual Hudson Valley Gives on May 21, 2025. Donations to Sullivan 180 will support the 2025 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge and Empowering a Healthier Generation programs.
The Sullivan 180 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge focuses on the health and well-being of our county’s firefighters by promoting healthy eating, physical activity and mental health. Departments receive credit in the form of ‘turtle points’ for each health-focused activity they complete. Earning these points makes the department eligible for grant funding in the form of Turtle Awards at the end of the challenge in September. The Challenge was designed to be fun, yet impactful, with a touch of competition to introduce resources and promote healthy lifestyles within the firefighter culture.
Empowering a Healthier Generation is a grassroots movement to change school-based policy and environments, while demonstrating that individuals and families have an important role to play in building a culture of health for themselves and the next generation. School building efforts focus on access to healthy food and physical activity as well as social and emotional wellness. . Turtle Awards are given to schools that are working on projects that support their District Wellness Policy through Sullivan 180's Empowering a Healthier Generation program. The awards recognize their efforts to promote healthy eating, physical activity and mental health.
"The Turtle Awards have a profound impact on our schools, funding projects that directly benefit students and make a lasting difference in the lives of our students." Meaghan Mullally Gorr, Sullivan 180 Director of Health and Wellness.
“The Wurtsboro Fire Department is very appreciative to have received $1,500 in grant funds from Sullivan 180 for the Healthiest Fire Department Challenge,” said Sara Frost, Wurtsboro Fire Department Challenge Captain. “We were able to buy some much needed gym equipment. A recumbent bike, gazelle, rowing machine, pull up bar, gym mats, walking pad, and weights. We even purchased a volleyball set to have some fun outside. This equipment will allow all our members access to a healthy fitness area right in our own building.”
Hudson Valley Gives is an annual day of online fundraising led by the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan. Local and regional non-profit organizations, including Sullivan 180, participate and fundraise for various causes. For more information on how to donate to local non-profits through Hudson Valley Gives, visit HVGives.org. If you are interested in sponsoring a Turtle Award, contact Kassondra Johnstone at 845-295-2682 or Kassondra@Sullivan180.org .