The Vermont Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports awards program recognizes Vermont individuals, organizations and employers that have made outstanding contributions to physical fitness and sports.

At a ceremony this fall, Governor Jim Douglas will present the 2008 awards and meet with citizens and employers who participate.

In this 14th year of the awards, we have changed the timing of the application deadline and awards to coincide with a new, statewide Work Site Wellness conference to be held in fall 2008. Conference partners include this council, the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont employers. The conference will give work site managers a more extensive opportunity to share best practices and learn about the many resources for achieving a vigorous workforce.

Applications are due July 15. Click here to apply for a Work Site Wellness Award: Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word

Applications are due July 15. Click here to nominate someone for an Individual Award: Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word

2007 Vermont Awards for Work Site Wellness,
Physical Fitness & Sports

In 2007, Melissa Johnson, Executive Director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, joined Governor Jim Douglas in presenting awards to six individuals and 42 employers.

2007 Vermont Awards Recipients (PDF download)

Awards For Individuals

The Awards for Individuals reward people who shine in encouraging their fellow citizens to participate in sports and make health and fitness a personal priority. These volunteers and professional give freely of their time to encourage others to participate in sports and exercise.

HERB PAINTER VOLUNTEER AWARD
Kathy Armstrong
Lyndon State College (Click for photo)
Henry (Hank) Lange
Brattleboro (Click for photo)

RAY SPARKS PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Kathy Rossier
Williston Central School (Click for photo)
James Tasse
Executive Director, Rutland Area Physical Activity Coalition (Click for photo)

VERMONT LEADER'S AWARD
Charlie Yerrick
Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe (Click for photo)

ALLEN SHER AWARD TO A COUNCIL MEMBER
Leslie A. Davis-Stone
Barre
Marketing and Communications General Manager
Lang McLaughry Spera (Click for photo)

Awards for Work Sites

The Work Site Wellness awards honor employers that support staff access to physical activity and promote good health on and off the job. Successful work sites reap the benefits of lower health care costs, greater productivity, stronger employee retention, larger hiring pools and less absenteeism. Each year more work sites apply for the awards, reflecting a trend in human resources management to empower workers to take personal responsibility for their health.

1-25 EMPLOYEES

GOLD:
Stark Mountain Woodworking (Click for photo)

SILVER:
The Barre Partnership/Downtown Barre

BRONZE:
Freely Creative, Inc.

GOVERNOR'S RISING STAR:
City of Newport

26-75 EMPLOYEES

GOLD:
Milton CAT (Click for photo)

SILVER:
Richford Health Center, Inc. (Click for photo)
Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH)

BRONZE:
Town of Williston (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S STAR:
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S RISING STAR:
Cathedral Square Corporation (Click for photo)

76-150 EMPLOYEES

GOLD:
Northfield Savings Bank (Click for photo)

SILVER STANDARD FOR
CONTINUED EXCELLENCE IN WORK SITE WELLNESS:
Rock-Tenn Company: Missisquoi Mill (Click for photo)

SILVER:
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (Click for photo)

BRONZE:
Ben & Jerry's (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S STAR:
Dwight Asset Management Company (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S RISING STAR:
Academy School

GOVERNOR'S RISING STAR:
Rhino Foods (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S RISING STAR:
Williston Central School (Click for photo)

151-500 EMPLOYEES

GOLD STANDARD FOR
CONTINUED EXCELLENCE IN WORK SITE WELLNESS:
Community Care Network/
Rutland Mental Health Services (Click for photo)

GOLD STANDARD FOR
CONTINUED EXCELLENCE IN WORK SITE WELLNESS:
Engelberth Construction, Inc. (Click for photo)

GOLD:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Click for photo)

SILVER:
Franklin County Home Health Agency, Inc. (Click for photo)

SILVER:
The Vermont Teddy Bear Company (Click for photo)

SILVER:
Trapp Family Lodge (Click for photo)

BRONZE:
Greater Burlington YMCA (Click for photo)

BRONZE:
Green Mountain Power Corporation (Click for photo)

BRONZE:
Husky Injection Molding Systems, Inc. (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S STAR:
Brattleboro Retreat d/b/a Retreat Healthcare (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S STAR:
Champlain College

GOVERNOR'S RISING STAR:
Rutland Hannaford (Click for photo)

501-999 EMPLOYEES

GOLD STANDARD FOR
CONTINUED EXCELLENCE IN WORK SITE WELLNESS:
Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) (Click for photo)

GOLD:
The Vermont Country Store (Click for photo)

SILVER:
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (Click for photo)

BRONZE:
Goodrich Corp., Sensors & Integrated Systems (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S STAR:
Department of Exercise Science and Department of Intramurals, Lyndon State College (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S STAR:
General Dynamics Armament & Technical Products (Click for photo)

1000+ EMPLOYEES

GOLD STANDARD FOR
CONTINUED EXCELLENCE IN WORK SITE WELLNESS:
Vermont Automobile Dealers Association (Click for photo)

GOLD:
Fletcher Allen Health Care (Click for photo)

SILVER:
Middlebury College (Click for photo)

BRONZE:
IBM Burlington (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S STAR:
Rutland Region Medical Center (Click for photo)

GOVERNOR'S STAR:
UVM Lifetime Wellness Program

STATE FACILITY
GOVERNOR'S SPECIAL RECOGNITION:
Dale Correctional Facility (Click for photo)

Allen Sher Council Member Award

2006 winner: Janet Franz, Shelburne, writer and fitness instructor

2002 winner: Marjorie Bowin

2001 winner: Emina Burak

The Allen Sher Award honors a member of the Vermont Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports for outstanding service to the Council.

Allen Sher is credited as the driving force that led to the creation of the Council in 1980, and served as a member until his move to North Carolina in 1990. His work as Chairman of the Special Projects committee led to the first "Walkin' Vermont" festival in Middlebury. He was one of the founders of the Green Mountain State Games.

Herb Painter Volunteer Award

2006 winner: Lisa Marie Donohue, Wallingford, Thrive Center of the Green Mountains

2002 winner: Michael Lannon

2001 winner: Ralph Swenson

The Herb Painter Award honors a dedicated Vermont citizen for outstanding effort in the promotion of physical fitness and sports. These efforts must be done on a voluntary basis, not related to employment.

Herb Painter will long be remembered for his activities as a Williston town father, beekeeper, skater, cyclist, and community activist. He was a member of the Steering Committee for the Green Mountain State Games until his death in 1989.

Ray Sparks Professional Award

2006 winner: Steve Lulek, Rutland, Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center and Vermont Adventure Tours

2002 winner: Declan D. J. Connolly

2001 winner: Gail Jette

The Ray Sparks Award honors an individual for outstanding contributions to physical fitness in a professional capacity.

Ray Sparks' career in physical education will long be remembered by all of those whose lives he touched. Ray was a member of the Council for several years until his death in 1988. As a member of the Green Mountain Senior Games Steering Committee, he developed the first fitness test to be administered to Vermont seniors. He also developed a fitness test for Vermont schools.

Vermont Leaders Award

2006 winner: Andrea Sisino, Burlington, Run Vermont

2005 Winner: Michael Feulner.

2002 winners: Larry Kimball, Carlie Geer, Ethan Allen Sims, Ed Kusiak, James Rosen

2001 winners: Hannelore Boerner, Gardiner Lane, Dave Jacobowitz, Nancy Heydinger, George Plumb, Bob Northrop

The Vermont Leaders Award honors individuals and organizations that have contributed to physical fitness and sports in Vermont.

Criteria for selection:

At least four years of involvement with fitness and sports as a Vermont resident. Has given freely of their time to promote fitness and sports. Serves as an example for others.