Cook-Illinois Corporation celebrates the beginning of a new school year by hosting our annual Wellness Walk. The day starts with “Stuff the Bus”, an initiative in which employees give back to the community by bringing non-perishable food items to donate to the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry. Thereafter, our drivers, paras, office staff and all their family members come together for walk on the Fullersburg Woods Trail.

This year, CIC decided to step it up by turning the Wellness Walk into a competition between our subsidiary companies. We introduced a new tradition that we call the “Wellness Cup.” This trophy is to be passed on each year and will be awarded to the company who showed the most enthusiasm for health in the previous school year. The competition was a great success! Resulting in over 600 attendees and over 3000 lbs of food and personal care products collected.

At the start of the day, all employees were given a swag bag with items such as, water bottles, coffee mugs, winter gloves, pins, stickers, lunch boxes, flashlights and wobble cushions. All employees were also given a t-shirt in a color unique to their company. Also, all attendees were given water and a granola bar to refresh themselves during their walk. At the trail, walkers were treated to a scenic paved forest trail. Walkers had their choice of a 1-mile or 2.2-mile walk and when complete, were greeted with a shuttle bus to escort them back to the corporate office.

At the corporate office, the attendees won prizes, ate their choice or tacos, pizza or deli sandwiches, participated in Zumba class and played games. A large health fair was set up with local businesses giving out information and prizes and the event was even visited by our local police and fire department. Children were able to get their face painted, be awed by magic tricks and get a balloon animal or crown.

Many employees were given trophies for the progress they made over the previous year. Some were given trophies for losing weight while others were given trophies for supporting the Bus-a-Move wellness initiative. One of our largest subsidiaries, Richlee Vans – Chicago Ridge was awarded with the Wellness Cup, due to their outstanding attendance and enthusiasm at the walk and their willingness to participate in all the wellness programs throughout the year. Over all everyone had a great time celebrating wellness and getting a chance to meet other employees from different companies. Next year CIC plans to throw an even bigger and better Wellness Walk!