Lake Wales, FL (Jan. 27, 2012) – The Mall Walkers program, sponsored by Lake Wales Medical Center and Eagle Ridge Mall, held a kick-off party for 2012 on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

“We welcomed close to 75 new people into the program during the kick-off party,” said Maryemma Bachelder, who coordinates the program for the hospital.

During the kick-off event, Mall Walkers were treated to a free breakfast provided by Steel City Grille in the mall’s Food Court. They also had the opportunity to participate in a health fair presented by Lake Wales Medical Center, which offered a variety of free health screenings, including blood pressure, blood glucose, and peak flow respiratory testing, along with information on services including wound care and treatment of varicose veins. Participants also had the opportunity to speak to a hospital pharmacist about their prescription and over-the-counter medications.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to offer this service to our community through the Mall Walkers program, and we’re proud to partner with Eagle Ridge Mall on the Mall Walkers program,” Bachelder said.

The Mall Walkers program enables people to walk inside the mall from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays. All Mall Walkers must enter through the Food Court, and are encouraged to wear their Mall Walkers t-shirts so that security officials know they are part of the program. Participants are encouraged to use their tracking cards to log their mileage each time they walk in the mall to earn prizes, including walking towels, water bottles, movie tickets, and gift cards. Mileage logged and turned in must be walked inside the mall to be eligible for prizes through Mall Walkers.

Participants are reminded to check with their physician before beginning any exercise program.

For more information about Mall Walkers, call 678-2288.

Mall Walkers enjoy the free health fair during the 2012 Mall Walkers Kick-off Party at Eagle Ridge Mall.


From left, LWMC CEO Scott Smith, Eagle Ridge Mall General Manager Gary Bonacci, LWMC’s
Maryemma Bachelder, ERM’s Michele Martinelli, and Brian Marbutt from the Lake Wales Area
Chamber of Commerce, cut the ribbon over the Start line to kick off the 2012 year for Mall Walkers.