Setters Walkers from Dayton Children’s Hospital won first place in the Summer Health Action Council Step It Up Challenge. The team, consisting of Rick Leach, Daniel Setters, Donetta Setters-Leach, and Jeannie Setters averaged 536,391 total steps. The champions of the Summer Step It Up Challenge received the Grand Prize: a healthy lunch up to $350 and a $300 donation to either a local school garden project or Ronald McDonald House Charity.

The challenge consisted of 851 participants and 82 teams, with an impressive total step count of 155,736,176. Participants averaged 6,536 steps individually. By meeting their collective step goal, teams unlocked a $500 donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California. The theme was Summer “Olympics” and Wellness Tips, with a variety of mini challenges that encouraged physical activity, healthy habits, stress relief, and fun.

“If everyone meets their personal fitness goal and creates healthy habits, all while winning fun prizes and raising money for a great cause, then everyone is a winner,” said Patty Starr, President & CEO of Health Action Council. “We’re incredibly proud of everyone who participated in this summer’s challenge. We’re so glad that the teams were able to once again reach the total step milestone, all while building a culture of wellness in the workplace and creating lasting memories.”

Walking Winners from Toledo Lucas County Public Library finished in second place, with a team made up of Celeste Felix, Tiana Tutu-Anokye, Stacy Cupps-Alexander, and Yemi Ismail.  The team averaged 536,356 daily steps and 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 Melissa’s Milers from City of Toledo, which included members Don Czerniak, Vicki Coleman, Laurie Mahler, Daniel Gerken, AC Robinson, and Melissa Masztak. The team averaged 469,946 daily steps and won Step It Up swag.

“The Step It Up Challenge isn’t just about individual health and success—it’s also an excellent recipe for organizational chemistry, communication, and morale,” said Starr. “This summer’s competitors have raised the bar once again. We’re still amazed at the results of each challenge, as records continue to be broken season after season.”

Three individuals from the Top 15 Steppers were entered in a drawing and randomly selected to win a new Fitbit Charge 5.

• Christine Covert from Ashland University with 1,136,280 total steps.
• Shane Sharma from Hitachi Solutions with 836,766 total steps.
• Rick Leach from Setters Walkers with 743,935 total steps.

Many participants were motivated to “step up” their games this summer.

“Since joining this summer challenge group I’ve been so motivated to bring it on,” said Janiece Woodbridge from Dayton Children’s Hospital. “I’ve been in competition with myself to see how I could continue to push myself mentally. This has been an eye opener for my will power!”

“I’m proud of how our team worked together and how I was able to stay consistent through both support and determination,” said Christine Covert from Ashland University. “It’s been a rewarding experience that I hope we continue in the future.”

The Mini Challenge winners were as follows:

• Robert Phillips from Hitachi Solutions won a $20 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card for completing the Olympic “Event” activity.
• Evelyn J Anderson from Cuyahoga Community College won a 32 oz. Owala water bottle for participating in the movement and hydration mini challenge.
• Tori Trowbridge from Team Telco won a $25 Amazon gift card in the team spirit and exercise buddy mini challenge.
• Rick Leach from Dayton Children’s Hospital won a Pickleball paddle set for participating in the heart health/blood pressure mini challenge.
• Annie Tejada from Advantage Dental won a $20 Starbucks gift card in the Olympian music and dance mini challenge.
• Erin Morris from Hitachi Solutions won a Himalayan Salt Lamp Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser for participating in the stress relief mini challenge to improve overall health and wellness.
• Abby Johns from Ashland University won a $20 Chipotle gift card for participating in the fuel like a champion: summer nutrition mini challenge.
• Tamara Maine from Dayton Children’s Hospital was selected to win a $25 DSW gift card for participating in the foot health mini challenge.
• Achelle Foster from Team Telco won a $25 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card for participating in the Olympic sport mini challenge.
• Joanna Rimmer from Suter & Associates won a $25 Amazon gift card for participating in the Independence Day mini challenge.

Lace up your shoes for our 2025 Fall Step It Up Challenge running from October 6 – November 2, 2025! Those interested in participating in the challenge can register here. 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.