In the Field
Move It or Lose It

The more you move, the longer you’ll live. Moving all parts of the body—during exercise or any physical activity—improves overall health, fitness and personal safety by improving balance, boosting energy and stamina, keeping the mind active and focused, increasing flexibility, lowering anxiety and lifting the blues, building confidence and self esteem, and making you calmer and able to sleep more soundly.

That was the message at the 2006 “Move it for a Healthy Body and Mind” Prince William Sound Traveling Health and Safety Fair in April, staffed in part by a group of TAPS employees. For the past six years, TAPS employees have visited Prince William Sound to promote health and wellness in Tatitlek, Chenega Bay, and Whittier, as well as providing related materials for a separate event in Cordova.

The annual community outreach initiative builds on Alyeska’s long tradition of addressing important health and safety issues. The grassroots event started because so many residents in the region do not have access to regularly scheduled health screenings and basic medical care. Today, it includes health screenings, safety-related activities and education, and professional referrals for more than 700 children and adults.

Acknowledging the crew and employees who helped make the event a success, Ruth Black, Valdez Communications Manager for Alyeska Pipeline, said it takes a true team effort to be able to help that many people during the one-week event. Several companies also sponsored the health fair, including Alaska Marine Lines (owned by Lynden Transportation) who provided the transportation platform on-board its new tug Krystal Sea and its barge Cordova Provider.

“It’s nice to be able to get out and meet our neighbors in the Sound and help provide such a valued benefit of health,” Black said, pictured above, at left.