Manchester Mirror and Kathy O’Mara recognized by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation
From the Fall/Winter 2020-21 edition of Connected Magazine
This spring, 5 Healthy Towns Foundation asked for nominations for individuals and businesses (or civic organizations) who have been inspirational role models for personal or community wellness. One individual from each town was selected as an MVP Champion of Wellness and one business was selected as a Most Valuable Partnership. The Manchester Mirror was selected as the Most Valuable Partnership for Manchester and Kathy O’Mara was selected as Manchester’s MVP Champion of Wellness. The Mirror joined The Health Connection Ministry in Dexter, Chelsea Senior Center in Chelsea, Manna in Stockbridge, and Roaming Goat in Grass Lake. O’Mara joined Reilly Curran of Chelsea, Ryan Maki of Dexter (a native of Manchester), Annie Lavergne of Grass Lake, and Stacy Hastings of Stockbridge.
Additionally, one Champion of Wellness Lifetime Achievement Award winner was selected from all five towns, and it is a Manchester resident! Check back next week to read all about them!
These articles originally appeared in print in the Fall/Winter 2020-21 edition of Connected Magazine and are being republished here with permission.
The Manchester Mirror
by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation
The Manchester Mirror has played a unique role in supporting wellness in Manchester through its advocacy in communicating everything from intervention announcements, calls to action, and wellness success stories. Founded in 2013 as a weekly free online newspaper, they expanded to print in 2016 in order to be more responsive to the needs of many residents who preferred the convenience and accessibility of a hard copy newspaper. Today, the Manchester Mirror distributes 700 print copies a week and reaches more than 4,000 readers online.
The Mirror now functions as the newspaper of record for 4 of the 5 government entities in the Manchester coverage area. In 2019, they joined the Michigan Press Association and began to syndicate Bridge Magazine news articles on many statewide topics. Combined with their local focus, 5HF appreciates their vital position in the community as the eyes, ears and voice of community well-being .
“Supporting 5HF activities and wellness opportunities in Manchester was part of our mission from the beginning,” said editor Sara Swanson. The Mirror has filled an important need to keep the community aware of the Manchester Wellness Coalition’s activities and we value them as a true partner and collaborator.
Kathy O’Mara
by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation
Growing up in Manchester, Kathy O’Mara walked every day. From her childhood home on Main Street, she would walk east to the old Five & Dime to buy a toy or penny candy, and she would walk west to the family owned grocery store to buy snack. Rarely did she think about safety. Walking was a way of life.
After attending Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan University to finish her college degree, Kathy began a satisfying teaching career (1989-2020) with Manchester Community Schools. “I taught kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade and 4th grade ... but 1st grade was my favorite.” said Kathy. “First graders are so eager to learn, and I love to see their faces light up when they realize they can read!”
Kathy maintained her active lifestyle as a middle school volleyball coach, walking, kayaking and water skiing on Wampler’s Lake, and encouraging kids to stay fit. It was this motivation that inspired Kathy to spearhead the expansion of Safe Routes to School in Manchester. Six years ago, she welcomed the opportunity to volunteer as the onsite coordinator for Manchester’s Walk to School program. It began as a 1 day/week initiative funded by the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, but soon grew to 5 days/week with funding from the Michigan Fitness Foundation. Safe Routes to School is now self-sustaining. Walkers and volunteers meet at the gazebo and Chi-Bro Park three days a week when school is in session; on the remaining days, kids who ride the bus can deboard and participate as well. As the program continued, Kathy created new incentives and routes to keep more kids engaged.
“Although I was the person behind Safe Routes to School, it takes a village of volunteers to make it a success,” she said. “Through snow, rain and sleet, as long as school was open, we walked. Thank you to Manchester’s generous community, for making this program a success.
Now retired, Kathy hopes to meet everyday challenges by taking good care of herself and staying active. She plans to engage with Manchester Wellness Coalition after COVID-19.
Congratulations to Kathy O’Mara, our Champion for Wellness MVP in Manchester.
From the Fall/Winter 2020-21 edition of Connected Magazine
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