The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health program has contributed more than $170,000 to Idaho schools since 2015

Sixty elected officials in Idaho completed the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health’s annual Steps for Schools walking challenge, earning $50,000 for schools in the state.

The Steps for Schools walking challenge encourages Idaho legislators and other elected officials to be active, set a good example and earn money to donate to a school or school district of their choice. The schools can use those funds to purchase equipment or sponsor programming that encourages children to be active. These funds also can be used for any COVID-19 relief efforts happening at the school.

Participants had two options in this year’s challenge: average 5,000 steps per day in February to earn $500 or average 10,000 steps per day to earn $1,000 for a school or school district. There were 40 participants who reached the 10,000-step goal this year.

“We had a record number of participants this year, and it’s the children at Idaho schools that will benefit from all of the steps taken by our elected officials,” said Kendra Witt-Doyle, Executive Director, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. “Walking is the one of the best things people can do for their own health. We’re thankful that so many of our elected officials set a great example by walking in the Steps for Schools walking challenge.”

This year’s challenge marked the seventh overall that the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health has offered to legislators and other elected officials. Since its inception in 2015, the Foundation has awarded $171,700 to Idaho schools on behalf of the challenge participants.