The second SMOHIT STEPS Challenge kicked off Sept. 15 and concluded Oct. 31. The fall edition offered two ways to win – as an individual or a team. Either way, participants could win just by registering, walking 30,000 steps, reaching the top 25, bi-weekly goal achievement raffles and unique target challenge days throughout the six-week challenge. The first 200 individuals who registered and reached 30,000 steps received the official second SMOHIT STEPS Challenge T-shirt.
“The challenge was awesome,” said Jerry Arms, training director from Sheet Metal Workers Local No. 49 in New Mexico. “I will admit I didn’t take it too seriously at the beginning, but about three-fourths of the way through, it was fun and inspiring.”
At the Albuquerque local, Arms and two employees walked before work, at lunch and after work, just for the healthy competition.
“A couple of us went out and bought Fitbits just because of the challenge,” said Paige Armstrong, Local No. 49 office manager. “It definitely got us moving, talking and interacting.”
For the second round, Arms threw out a challenge to his East Coast counterparts: “If we have to walk in 100-degree weather then the East Coast can walk in below freezing,” he jokingly said.
The highest stepping individual will win a trip to the 2018 Safety Champion Conference along with a $200 gift card for the top spot. The Top 25 highest stepping individuals will receive gift cards in amounts that correspond to where they finish. The best overall team will receive a trophy to display at their union hall and a fitness book. Gift cards of various increments also are awarded for those reaching step milestones throughout the competition. Teams may also enter a raffle for a $25 gift card by submitting a team picture, video or story about their experience, which will be shared on social media.
Winners will be announced on the SMOHIT website and in the next issue of Focus on Funds. To sign up for the spring 2018 STEPS Challenge, visit the SMOHIT website at http://www.smohit.org.
