Mercer Employees Walk for a Cause

There’s nothing like a little competition to get your heart rate going. Mercer University is encouraging employees to get moving for a good cause. Whether it’s to lose weight, become more active, or just have some fun Mercer faculty and staff will be sporting their tennis shoes for the next eight weeks.

“I think when I first started counting how many steps I was taking I was surprised at how few steps I was taking,” said Billie Rampley, Director of Arts Marketing. ?

Rampley will be joining her co-workers for a rescue walk. They’ll burn calories while supporting Macon’s Dove Center.

“Every time you walk, as a Mercer employee, money is donated on your behalf through the generous support of many of our sponsors. And then the people in our community are benefiting from our physical activity through dollars that are used to support the ladies who use the services there,” explained Rachel May, Director of Employee Wellness at Mercer.

Organizers are pushing employees to walk between 2,000-10,000 steps a day.

“Employees who are healthier, who move more, who eat right, who have less stress, cost less money and are better more productive employees as well as productive members of our community at large,” said May.

“I know that my co-workers are going to be watching to see what I input and see how many steps I’m doing. I don’t want to be the lazy one of the departments,” said Allan Rene De Co Tret, Mercer University Biology Coordinator.

The more steps they take means more money for the Dove Center, a six month residential program for victims of domestic violence. That money goes a long way.

“We wouldn’t be able to function, I mean we would not be able to run this program,” explained Rene Barreth, Director of the Dove Center.

The Dove Center acts as a safe haven for women and children. Barreth says the walkers steps help keep local women and children safe.

“Continue walking, we need your help. We need your support so we’re able to continue this program,” explained Barreth.

Participants are excited to help the Dove Center, while reaching their personal goals. Like for Billie Rampley that means looking good in her wedding dress.

“Of course I set new years resolutions as did most people, but to help me stick with those throughout the next couple months and additionally I got engaged over Christmas. So I’m hoping that it will help me look good in my wedding dress.”

After eight weeks of walking, Billie may keep going until she makes it down the isle in that perfect dress!

The Rescue Walk kicks off Monday. Walkers will track their steps with a pedometer.

There are two ways you can help. You can become a sponsor for the walkers, visit www.mercer.edu for more information. Or you can make donations directly to the Dove Center by heading to www.maconrescuemission.com. ?