Mayor Barthlome provides equipment for Little League

October is the month set aside for the annual Mayor’s walking challenge, which has been sponsored by Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health for a number of years.  Mayors walk each day to count their steps.  At the end of the month, steps are counted and if they reach their goals, they earn money.  The program was initially kicked off in 2014, and was adopted statewide in 2018.  The Walking Challenge is designed to encourage healthy habits and to let Idaho’s mayor’s serve as examples to that end.

Grace Mayor Jackie Barthlome has been an active participant in the program since 2017.   There were 117 Mayors across the state that participated this year.  Mayor Barthlome walked 425,059 steps or 177 miles. While an official total is not immediately available, that likely means that Mayor Barthlome has walked close to a thousand and a half miles over the last 8 years for the program, which is about the distance from Grace to Chicago, for example.

It isn’t hard to for Barthlome to stay motivated.  “I love going for walks,” she says.  “I feel so much better and ready for the day’s work.”  As mayor, it has been an excellent way to keep up with what is happening around town, which, it should be acknowledged, is a great place to walk.  “I see what is going on in the city . I like the county roads also.  It’s a beautiful place to live!”

Over the years, she has used the money to help acquire equipment for Black Canyon Elementary, the Jr. High School Sports program, and Grace High School. Mayors are given latitude about where they can use the funds, as long as they promote active lifestyles in their communities.  

This year, she is getting new equipment for the Grace Little League Program. “The Little League Program has lots of kids in it and the money they pay to play does not raise enough to purchase a lot of new equipment,” Mayor Barthlome said.  “So I decided to help them out this year.”  With the money, the program was able to purchase much needed supplies, including bats, batting tees, catcher sets with bags to keep them, folding helmet bags, and some baseballs.  

Mayor Barthlome presented the equipment to Lara Peck, head of the Little League program for Grace.  The equipment will be a huge help to the local kids who can continue to spend their summer hours outdoors playing.

As far as walking, Mayor Barthlome encourages everyone to make it a part of their routine if they can.  “Make the time,” she says. Walks early in the morning are always peaceful and quiet.  You will feel so much better!”