News release
Published: May 8, 2008

Read the news release below

In celebration of May is National Bike Month, Activate held an event at the Gazebo on Martinsville’s Uptown Trail on Tuesday and gave two lucky participants free bicycles.  Sandra Tanner, Virginia Tourism Development Specialist was the guest presenter.  Ms. Tanner talked to those in attendance about the growing economic impact of recreation tourism and how communities across Virginia are benefiting from investing in and promoting such opportunities.  Simply put, tourism means jobs and people are looking for destinations with the natural beauty and recreational opportunities increasingly found in our region.  Ms. Tanner said “According to Outdoor Industry Foundation, the number of Americans who participate in bicycling is 60 million, which is double the population of Canada.  More than three out of every four Americans engage in healthy outdoor activities.  When Americans get out and participate in these activities, they aren’t just having fun and staying fit, they are also pumping billions of dollars into the economy.”

Tanner also commended the Harvest Foundation for their “vision of an active living community.” “Fields are already being harvested with initiatives such as the Health and Wellness Coalition, Martinsville Rivers and Trails, MHC After 3, Gateway, MURA and a vast number of others.  It’s clear to me that Harvest sees the need to continue cultivating a new economy and seeds are being planted such as the Uptown Arena and the new Soccer Complex and this new initiative - Activate Martinsville/Henry County.  VTC is ecstatic to hear about Activate’s efforts”. 

Joan Bailey, winner from Activate’s drawing at the FastTrack 2008 Tradeshow was presented a Giant brand bicycle.  Ms. Bailey said she was 69-years old and was very anxious to receive her bicycle.  “I was counting down the days on the calendar to this event after receiving a call from Activate that I had won a bicycle.  I haven’t biked in over 50 years but I can’t wait to do so again”.

Kathy Denoff, a participant in the weekly Lunch on the Run program organized by Activate and the Henry County Bike Club, won the second bicycle.  Ms. Denoff walks regularly on Tuesday and Thursdays with other co-workers. “I told my co-workers I was going to win that bicycle, and I did.  Now I can start biking instead of walking!” Denoff said. 

The mission of Activate Martinsville/Henry County is to help make our community a fun, healthy, and desirable place to live by promoting walking, bicycling, and increased physical activity as a part of everyday life.  It is a funded initiative of The Harvest Foundation. 

The Harvest Foundation supports health, education, and welfare initiatives that serve our vision of cultivating Martinsville and Henry County, Virginia as a “community of choice”.  The Harvest Foundation was established in 2002 from the sale of Memorial Hospital.  For more information visit http://www.theharvestfoundation.org