To encourage Greene County residents to shake off the winter blues, the Greene County Chamber of Commerce and the Greene County Community Center are teaming up to host a March Into March program.

John Brunow with the Chamber says the promotion’s committee is challenging everyone to walk daily during the month of March.  There are two challenges for people to join.  The 10,000 Steps Challenge is for teams of four to eight people to maintain the highest average number of steps per day with the goal of reaching 10,000 steps.  A map of Iowa will be at the rec center tracking everyone’s progress.  Jefferson Parks and Recreation Director Vicky Lautner says it’s about 200 miles across Iowa.  The other challenge is the 23 ½ Hour Challenge for individuals.  Brunow says individuals are encouraged to walk 30-minutes everyday.  Each week, participants will report their progress to the rec center.

Registration fees for the 10,000 Steps Challenge is $10 per team member and $5 for the 23 ½ Hour Challenge.  Payments must be made to the Chamber.  The winners of both challenges will be able to designate the registration money to a charitable organization in Greene County.  Winners will be announced on April 6th.

Brunow states that there’s not only health and charity benefits, but there’s benefits for Chamber members as well.

“And for the (Greene County) Chamber of Commerce, what we’re promoting is our members having products that they advertise to encourage people to be walking through March and into the Summer.”

Chamber members will also have coupons that can be used to replace steps or minutes that you don’t have to walk for a day.

Registrations are going on today from 9am to 6pm and tomorrow until noon at the rec center in Jefferson.  For more information, contact the Chamber office at 386-2155.