NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

Looking for Community Sparkplugs for a Healthier Wilson County

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Community Sparkplugs are individuals who:

  • Have enthusiasm and make things happen
  • Are the go to person in their neighborhood, school, community or church
  • Can mobilize and galvanize others for the common good
  • Want to help their community become more active and eat healthier foods
  • Will get their idea off the ground with a little support and seed money

Do you know a Community Sparkplug in Wilson County?

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and The Rensselaerville Institute — in partnership with the North Carolina Council of Churches, North Carolina Recreation and Park Association, and Center for Environmental Farming Systems — are looking for individuals with project ideas for creating a healthier Wilson County. Projects will be implemented over the next 6 months and must focus on increasing physical activity and/or access to and consumption of fresh produce.

Selected Community Sparkplugs and their teams will receive:

  • A $3,000 grant (simple application process)
  • Individualized help to create an action plan and set project results
  • Support and coaching over the next 6 months
  • Opportunity to become part of a growing network of Community Sparkplugs across North Carolina

Examples of recent Community Sparkplugs’ projects:

  • In Caldwell County, a 12 year-old planted seeds of food security in her community with Plant a Row for the Hungry: caldwell.ces.ncsu.edu/par
  • In Lenoir County, the Virtual Workout Crew galvanized over 150 people to join Zumba classes. Get inspired by this two minute video: inspirednc.org/?grantee=takeema-parson
  • In Scotland County, Wagram Primary started a community garden to donate produce to the local food bank and built a walking track for students and teachers to exercise during recess.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE?

Register for an information session in Wilson:

Tuesday, January 15 from 6:00-8:00 PM or

Wednesday, January 16 from 9:00-11:00 AM

Location: Wedgewood Public Golf Course on 3210 Statonburg Rd. SE, Wilson, 27893
Space limited to 30 participants per session; pre-register by January 10 at www.communitysparkplugs.org

Questions? Contact Ilana Dubester at ilana@whatworks.org or 919-260-6210

Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

About Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) connects congregations with existing resources in the community and provides them with the tools necessary (sometimes in the form of mini-grants) to implement healthier practices, policies and programs. I live in Raleigh and enjoy good food, area greenways and bargain shopping.
Learn more about PHW and our efforts to improve the health of God’s people: healthandwholeness.org

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