GCI Launches Free Virtual Wellness Challenge
The incentivized event encourages Alaskans to take care of themselves and their neighbors.
This year, GCI is launching the first GCI Wellness Challenge, a virtual event that encourages Alaskans to take care of themselves and each other. The program challenges Alaskans to complete in four wellness challenges in the month of October for the chance to win tech prizes.
“We’re all feeling a little isolated these days and those feelings may grow as the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors. As a company with almost 2,000 employees, we know how important it is to make sure our team is taking care of themselves,” said GCI Chief Communications Officer Heather Handyside. “We created the GCI Wellness Challenge as a simple, safe, and fun way to remind GCI employees and all Alaskans about the importance of getting outside, remaining active, and connecting with family and friends—even if it’s only virtually.”
The free event asks participants to complete four health and wellness tasks:
- Complete a 5K run or walk
- Cook a healthy meal
- Check in with a friend
- Take 30 mins of time each week to do something healthy, like taking a walk or reading a book
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Participants who complete all four tasks by October 28, 2020 will be entered to win prizes including Beats X headphones, Apple Watch Series 44MM, and Samsung Tablet Active 16GB. The challenge is intended to help raise awareness of the importance of mental wellness and healthy communities.
Each year, the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund contributes to vital suicide prevention efforts with an emphasis on organizations that serve small, rural Alaska communities. Since 2016, GCI has donated more than $470,000 to organizations across the state that are combatting suicide in their respective communities.
“Mental wellness and suicide prevention hit close to home for all Alaskans as our state’s suicide rate is more than double the national average. As Alaskans who care deeply for each other and our neighbors, we have made it our mission to spread education and resources across the state,” said Jenifer Nelson, GCI’s senior manager of Community Relations. “We’re excited to open up the GCI Wellness Challenge to every Alaskan with easy activities they can do from the safety of their own neighborhood.”
The virtual 5K and wellness challenge will take place through October 28. In that time, runners and walkers can go at their own pace, logging progress as they go.
Participants can sign up at www.runsignup.com/Race/AK/Anchorage/GCIWellnessChallenge. After registering, participants can log the completion of the 5K run or walk and other wellness challenges before Oct. 28 to be entered to win a tech prize.
GCI is one of Alaska’s leaders in corporate philanthropy, donating approximately $2 million each year in cash, products and connectivity to organizations across the state. GCI is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and provides employees with 16 hours of paid leave to volunteer with local organizations. In 2019, nearly 550 GCI employees volunteered more than 5,300 hours.
For more information about GCI Gives, visit https://www.gci.com/why-gci/gcigives. For more information about the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund, visit https://www.gci.com/why-gci/gcigives/gci-suicide-prevention-fund.
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