The theme, spring activities and healthy nutrition encouraged healthy eating and cooking
Melissa’s Milers from City of Toledo won first place in the Spring Health Action Council Step It Up Challenge. The team, consisting of Don Czerniak, Vicki Coleman, Laurie Mahler, Melissa Masztak and Daniel Gerken averaged 443,146 steps and logged in 2,215,733 total steps. The winning team receives the Grand Prize: a healthy lunch up to $350 and $300 donated to either a local school garden project or Ronald McDonald House Charity.
The challenge consisted of 749 participants and 60 teams, with 136,862,032 total steps, and 6,526 average daily steps. Teams achieved the collective step goal which unlocked a $500 donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern North Carolina. The theme was Spring Activities and Healthy Nutrition, encouraging healthy eating and cooking.
“This challenge sparked real team spirit—not only by getting everyone moving through physical activity, but also by bringing some friendly fun into the mix with weekly scavenger hunts,” said Patty Starr, President & CEO of Health Action Council. “When people are engaged, having fun, and encouraging one another, it creates the perfect recipe for sticking to healthier habits and crushing those wellness goals.”
Second place was earned by Team OCLC: Thomas Seelbach, Anna Jones and Joanna White. The team achieved 389,326 average total steps and logged in an impressive 1,167,978 total steps. The team received a healthy lunch up to $150 and a $200 donation to either a local school garden project or Ronald McDonald House Charity.
Third place winners were Spring in Our Steps from Suter and Associates: Jacob Suter, Joyce Suter, Bryan Rimmer, Joanna Rimmer, Joe Suter, Alyssa Suter, Jesse Suter, Liz Suter, Maria Suter and Jason Suter. The team achieved 362,247 average total steps, with 3,622,475 total steps. The team won Step It Up swag.
“A truly healthy workplace doesn’t just boost business—it energizes people by prioritizing their physical and mental well-being,” said Starr. “Challenges like these leave employees feeling stronger, more motivated, and empowered to bring others along on the journey toward a more vibrant, connected workplace culture.”
Three individuals from the Top 15 Steppers were entered in a drawing and randomly selected to win a new Fitbit Charge 5.
- Ilya Rechtman from Hitachi Inspire the Steps had 920,977 steps.
- Chris Markley from Kirby Risk Electrifying Steppers had 824,583 steps.
- Alma Ziegler from Ashland University Fit Eagle Employees had 780,376 steps.
The sentiment of getting fit was emphatically expressed by some participants.
“I have really enjoyed this step challenge!,” said Casey Luckado from Kirby Risk Corporation. Rachel Kruse from Boone County Government, added, “I’ve had my walking pad in my office for over a year and used it maybe twice prior to this challenge. I’ve used it daily since starting! I’m hoping to keep that up going forward!!"
The Mini Challenge winners were as follows:
- Aubrey Stewart from team Boone County Government won a $20 Amazon gift card for participating in our St. Patrick’s Day mini challenge.
- Jason Suter from team Spring In Our Steps won a $25 Panera gift card for participating in our Nature Walk & Healthy Snack mini challenge.
- Tanja Harp from team World Group won a $20 Starbucks gift card for participating in our Happiness on a Plate mini challenge.
- Jamesson Keese from team GableGotwals won a $25 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card for participating in our Spring Into Movement mini challenge.
- Maria Truitt from Boone County Government won a picnic backpack set and Cleveland Museum of Natural History hat and tote bag for participating in our Prehistoric Movement mini challenge.
- Casey Luckado from Kirby Risk Electrifying Steppers won a Multifunctional Vegetable Chopper and Spiralizer for participating in our vegetable dish mini challenge.
- AC Robison from Ashland University Fit Eagle won a $25 Amazon gift card for participating in our National Walking Day mini challenge.
- Isabel Luna from Kirby Risk Electrifying Steppers won a $25 Chipotle gift card for participating in our Rainbow Plate mini challenge.
- Mandy Jones from DCH Employee Experience won a $25 Lowe’s gift card for participating in our Food and Blood Pressure mini challenge.
- Abby Johns from Ashland University Fit Eagle won a $20 Amazon gift card for participating our Reflection mini challenge.
Gear up for our 2025 Summer Step It Up Challenge from June 9 to July 6, 2025. Whether you’re walking for gold, or simply for good health, every step will count with our Olympic inspired activities. Learn more and register. For additional questions, please contact Noelle Reinhart at [email protected].
About Health Action Council
Health Action Council is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization representing mid and large-size employers that enhances human and economic health through thought leadership, innovative services, and collaboration. It provides value to its members by facilitating projects that improve the quality and moderate the cost of healthcare purchased by its members for their employees, dependents, and retirees. Health Action Council also collaborates with key stakeholders - health plans, physicians, hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry - to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare in the community.