Nenana Wellness Coalition
Minutes
The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.
Meeting was attended by six people today: Kat McElroy, Maryellen Kanayurak, Bonnie Reed, Tim Horn, Donna Grimes and Susan Kaufman. We had lunch: turkey vegetable soup, sliced apples and fresh pecans.
WELCOME and READING OF MISSION STATEMENT By this week’s chairperson: Tim Horn
PRAYER: was lead by Maryellen Kanayurak, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.
PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: Tim Horn asked if we could switch the agenda to do the Health Fair planning piece second as Susan Kaufman would be joining us.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: minutes were submitted electronically to the WIN list last Tuesday and were posted on the Railbelt web site under Win Coalition.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: There were no guests today.
Speakers/Topics
Health Fair Planning – Tim Horn was able to contact Phyllis Tugman Alexander in Fairbanks and brought the health fair application to meeting to be completed. Tim volunteered to be our site coordinator this year and Maryellen Kanyurak will be the co-coordinator. Tim talked to Jason Mayrand at the city office and he doesn’t see any conflict with our proposed date of March 22nd, 9 A.M. thru 1 P.M. Phyllis Tugman Alexander indicated that this date was open. Tim also talked to Marilyn Duggar at Coghill’s and Cherrie Forness who indicated that the Civic Center would be available for that date. Susan said that the EMT’s would make themselves available. Kat will contact Jackie and Ginger at the Nenana Native Clinic to see if they can be available. Kat talked to the new PA who will be starting to work soon at the Native Clinic and he indicated he would make himself available and would be willing to present on diabetes education or prevention. Tim will ask Phyllis about getting a lead lab volunteer. We need 200 dollars for the site fee and an additional 50 dollars per person attending the training in February. Kat will check to see if Railbelt has any funds available for the training. Maryellen will find the template for the community health fair needs assessment we did last year and will update it to include arthritis and osteoporosis; we would like to administer the survey some Saturday from Coghill’s store. Kat will generate letters requesting financial support to Safeway, Fred Meyer’s, Sam’s Club, Ice Classic, Coghill’s and Crowley. Susan will ask Rob to see if there is any ANE grant funding available, also to see if ANE students can assist with the health fair. We discussed PR for the health fair, discussed logistics for set-up. It is thought best if we could do set-up the afternoon before the proposed date for the health fair. Kat will check with Robin at NNC to see if there would be GA workers available.
Operation Ho Ho Ho Report – Kat McElroy said that they put together food and gift boxes for 60 families this year. Four of these proved to be undeliverable despite valiant efforts by our volunteers; the food and gifts were re-distributed. Our especial thanks to Jimmy Allen, Ray Fox, Adam White, Dan Wiggins, and David Poppe for doing the majority of the heavy lifting, hauling food stuffs from Santa’s Workshop in Fairbanks and delivering the many, many, many heavy food boxes from George Hall. Thanks also to Bill & Rebecca Troxel for their help putting the boxes together, to Keri Frazier for keeping us organized, to Maryellen Kanayurak and her daughters Sierra, Leena and Sonja for their help organizing the boxes and to Donald Charlie and Willie Lord for logistical support. We still have Angel Tree presents to deliver.
WELLNESS THOUGHT
Every day, I am only exactly as happy as I make up my mind to be.
–Anonymous
Updates/Announcements:
Tim announced that their will be a funeral Thursday at 11 A.M. for Elija Blair, at the Civic Center, followed by a covered dish pot luck. Visitation will be at ten A.M.
Donna announced that the NSLC students will be returning to their various home villages; travel days for them are Thursday and Friday. Most shall be returning January 7th with the exception of those who shall remain in their home villages to celebrate Orthodox Christmas, which is known as Slaviq, a seven-day holiday that begins on Jan. 7. (Kat’s note: Slaviq is accompanied by traditions that include following the “Star of Bethlehem” in a procession from house to house while singing, praying and feasting. This is called “Starring,” and is an important cultural component to Yupik Christmas celebrations.) The center will be closed during Christmas holiday.
Bonnie announced that the 1st and 2nd graders came to the Seniors and read books aloud and gave out hand-made candy gifts, marshmallow snowmen dipped in white chocolate. They have welcomed a new senior, Harriet Borst, of Oregon, who moved to the Meda Lord Senior Housing Center from Anderson recently.
She also announced that the Christmas music program will be tonight at NCPS; students from Tri-valley shall be joining our students at 6 P.M. The Gift exchange at George Hall will be December 20th. Snacks are provided and all are welcome. There will also be a community Christmas Party the evening of December 22nd at the Civic Center. Lastly, Christmas services are scheduled for 7 P.M. on the 24th of December at both St Marks Episcopalian and St Theresa’s Catholic churches in Nenana. All are welcome to attend. Bonnie also stated that there will be no lunches at the Senior Center on December 26th or January 2nd due to the holidays.
Kat said that she will be leaving Christmas day to visit her family in Nevada, returning January 9th. Keri is leaving tonight for Colorado, returning January 7th. Maryellen will be flying out Christmas Day as well to take her daughters to Disneyland. Rosemary Allen and Laura Vance will be holding down the fort in Nenana and Diana Grum will be available in the Healy office. December 31st will be Traci Boschert’s final day at Railbelt Mental Health & Addicitons. Her replacement has yet to be hired.
There will be no win meetings for the next two tuesdays (december 25 and january 1); next win coallition meeting will be january 8TH.
Open floor for comments/questions/discussion:
No public comment