As a parishioner of Bethel Baptist Church, Gilda Strudwick has always looked to her congregation for spiritual sustenance. Now, thanks to a healthy cooking program held weekly at the church through its Be Fit program, she has learned how to nourish herself and her family there, too.
"I have lost 15 pounds and I feel great," said Strudwick. "The best part is that I am not on a diet. The Be Fit program has simply taught me how to eat better and that eating healthy doesn't mean I have to sacrifice taste. I have become more conscious about the foods that I buy and how I prepare them for myself and my family. The meal planning begins while I am looking at the weekly supermarket advertisements and I am careful to stay away from excess fats, sugars and salts."
Strudwick joined Deputy County Executive Kevin J. Plunkett and Westchester County Board of Health President R. Steven Nakashima Tuesday, April 30, as the Board of Health awarded the 2013 Distinguished Public Health Service Award to the Passage to Excellence Corporation for its Be Fit Program at Bethel Baptist Church in White Plains.
Reverend Dr. Edward O. Williamson of Bethel Baptist Church accepted the award on behalf of the program at today's award ceremony. He was joined by Frank Williams, Passage to Excellence Corp. Chairman and Naomi Adler, CEO and President of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties which funds the Be Fit program through a grant award. Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Health, Rick Morrissey, speaking on behalf of Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, took a moment to recognize those who have dedicated their careers to improving public health.
Main Photo: Shown left to right, Frank Williams, Passage to Excellence Corp. Chairman; Kevin J. Plunkett, Deputy Westchester County Executive; R. Steven Nakashima, Westchester County Board of Health President; Naomi Adler, CEO and President of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties; Reverend Dr. Edward O. Williamson, Bethel Baptist Church; Rick Morrissey, Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Health with the Westchester County Health Department
Second Photo: Reverend Dr. Edward O. Williamson, Bethel Baptist Church; Gilda Strudwick, Bethel Baptist Church Parishioner and Be Fit Participant