The Humana “Build a Legacy Tour” has been on the road the last few weeks with stops in Albuquerque, N.M., Tucson, Ariz., and Nashville, Tenn. As the tour crossed the country, more than 600 local volunteers helped build wonderful multi-generational playgrounds and family gathering spaces. Here are a few highlights from our most recent stops.

Albuquerque

• On Thursday, Nov. 3, the Tour made its fourth stop and joined forces with PB&J Family Services, the Bernalillo Senior Center and volunteers from the Bernalillo area to build their unique multi-generational playground and Family Gathering Space.
• The Albuquerque Senior Center showed strong support as volunteers came in droves to help build the playground and install the Life Trail equipment.
• Other notable attendees included Congressman Martin T. Heinrich, Bernalillo Mayor Jack Torres and State Senator John Sapien.

Tucson

• Humana volunteers came out in full force as the fifth build on the tour hit Tucson on Saturday, Nov. 5.
• Humana, Chicanos Por La Causa, the Santa Cruz Apartments and the city of Tucson did not disappoint as families joined together to build this multi-generational playground in the middle of an apartment complex.

Nashville

• On Veterans Day, the community members near United Way’s McGruder Family Resource Center came together on a chilly but sunny day to brighten up the back lot of the center, where the playground was built.
• Nan Kelley from the Great American Country channel joined the volunteer team.
• A moment of silence was observed at noon for our veterans and a color guard from nearby Maplewood High School ROTC performed a flag ceremony during the ribbon cutting.

 

 

Today is the 36th Great American Smokeout, sponsored by The American Cancer Society, which was created to help encourage smokers to quit. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., yet more than 46 million Americans still smoke. Have you made your plan to quit smoking…and actually followed through? If not, you are not alone. Each year, 70 percent of current smokers say they want to quit, but only six percent actually succeed at becoming smoke-free.

After smoking three packs a day for 33 years, Gary – a member of LifeSynch, a Humana company – is celebrating his first anniversary this month as successfully smoke-free. With the help of a personal health coach through LifeSynch’s tobacco cessation program, Gary has regained control of his health. To offer inspiration to others who want to quit smoking, Gary wanted to share his story. After watching this video, Gary hopes anyone who has ever wanted to quit smoking, will take a pledge today to quit  – or will make a plan to quit because by doing so, you are taking an important step toward a healthier life and well-being.

This weekend the Humana “Build a Legacy Tour” headed to Greensboro, N.C., for the third of eight multi-generational playground builds around the country.

Humana volunteers, the YWCA and KaBOOM! organizers braved cold temperatures and wind and rain on Saturday, Oct. 29, to start the project in High Point, about 20 minutes outside of Greensboro.

Poor weather didn’t bring down the spirit of the team, though, and they lucked out as the rain dissipated and sun started shining mid-morning.

More than 250 local volunteers of all ages – nearly 100 of those from Humana – contributed, including Dallas Mavericks center (and recent NBA Champion), Brendan Haywood, who has deep roots in the area.

Invited by Humana, KaBOOM! and the YWCA, Brendan joined the team of volunteers in constructing playground components for people of all ages, including a Triple Racer Slide, Lifetrail exercise stations, Tic-Tac-Toe Activity Wall, Rope Climber and Climbing activities.

“It is a good cause,” Brendan said. “KaBOOM! and Humana are doing a lot of good things in the community, and it’s something I wanted to partner up with and be a part of.”

In addition to helping with the build, Brendan also had the chance to meet with local children and take pictures and speak with participants.

The team was thankful to have his help and support. Thank you, Brendan!