Sitka Named Finalist for
National Health Prize
Sitka has been named a finalist in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize.
Sitka Health Summit Coalition said the community is one step away from the national prize, which honors communities that are bringing partners together around a shared commitment to health, opportunity and equity.
Twelve finalist communities were selected from nearly 200 applications nationwide. The Culture of Health Prize team will conduct site visits to each finalist community this spring. Winners will be announced in the fall.
“We are pleased to advance as a RWJF Culture of Health Prize finalist community,’’ said Doug Osborne, who’s with the Sitka Health Summit Coalition. ‘‘Having national experts recognize that we are making great strides is a testament to the important work that’s been accelerating for years.
‘‘We believe Sitka was chosen because we have so many great stories to share: the new accessible community playground, Sitka Tribe’s ICWA Partnership, the revitalization of the SJ campus, the Wooch.een Preschool, the Fish to Schools program, clean energy, a fantastic trail system – it’s an amazing list that goes on and on,” Osborne said.
The prize is guided by the principle that every community has the potential to leverage its unique strengths and assets to expand opportunities for residents to thrive, a press release said.
Sitka advanced to the finalist stage by demonstrating how local efforts reflect the six criteria:
–Defining health in the broadest possible terms;
–Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions;
–Creating conditions that give everyone a fair and just opportunity to reach their best possible health;
–Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members;
–Securing and making the most of available resources; and
–Measuring and sharing progress and results.
“These communities have set themselves apart by recognizing that health is about opportunity. It is connected to every element of our lives – good schools, safe and affordable housing, high-quality jobs that pay a fair wage and so much more,” said Richard Besser, MD, president and CEO of RWJF. “In the coming months, we look forward to visiting each community to learn more about how it is working with local leaders and residents to shape solutions in all these areas that impact health.”
If selected, Sitka would be the first community in Alaska to win the national honor, which comes with a $25,000 cash prize. Winners enjoy a national platform to share community stories and lessons learned with the country, and have access to other local leaders, including past winners, through the national Prize Alumni Network.
The video that Sitka submitted with its application is available at: https://vimeo.com/311804472. To learn about the work of the 39 previous prize winners, visit www.rwjf.org/prize.
The RWJF Culture of Health Prize is a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Card of Thanks
Thank you from the William “Shorty” Larsen family.
On behalf of our mother, Grace Katasse Larsen, I would like to say thank you to all of Sitka for showing their positive support for our mother. After she found out the devastating news on her birthday, it is a mother’s worst news ever to hear about her child. Her friends and family in Sitka came to her right away. They were by her side, stayed with her and her children living in Sitka. Grace’s other children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren came in a few days later.
Thank you for the ANS/ANB for being there for her, collecting food, and donations. Thank you, Tom Gamble, for starting the “Go Fund Me” for our mom and Shorty’s expenses. Thank you, Keith Perkins, for helping us with the kind words for Shorty and helping with Shorty’s celebration of life on his birthday. Thank you to everyone that donated food for his celebration of life. Thank you to all who helped set up and cleaned up. Thank you STA for letting us use the Community House for Shorty’s celebration of life.
Thank you, Steve and Donna Bezezekoff, for your huge help with getting my sons and one airlines tickets to be with my mom and grandma. Huge thank you to you both.
Thank you, Buzz, for making sure Mom and the Larsen clan fed. You did an amazing job keeping up with all of us.
Thank you to all who have sent comforting cards. Thank you all who sent money. Thank you all for money donations and food donations. There were so many donations. We don’t want to leave anyone out. A huge thank you.
Thank you for the Sitka Search and Rescue Dive team, Sitka Harbor Masters. Great job you guys do.
Thank you to Allen Marine, an awesome job well-done to the crew who went over and beyond to make Shorty’s boat ride to his resting place. Thank you.
Thank you to Shorty’s friends who came to support our mom from out of town, Tim and family and Ed. Thank you to all of Shorty’s friends who came to visit our Mother and show support. Thank you to our Katasse family and friends who came from out of town. Thank you to our Katasse family for helping Andy get his airline ticket.
Thank you to the Sitka Sentinel paper for helping us share Shorty’s Celebration of Lifel.
Many, many, many thank yous to all who came together to support and help our Mother and our Family in time of need. There are not enough words to express a huge and many thank you.
Please, out of respect for our Mother, please no more questions of her son Shorty’s passing. It hurts her every day. She needs all the positive support. Thank you.
Thank you, all, for all the prayers, positive support, and the comfort our Mother needs.
Rest easy, Shorty, you will be tremendously missed.
Thank you from the Larsens.
Grace Larsen,
Carl A. Larsen JR & Family,
Becky Larsen & Family,
Henry Larsen & Family,
Carlene Larsen,
Andy Larsen,
Anjeanette Larsen Voeller & Family,
Clarence Buzzy Dick
Ladies Ministries
Schedule Given
The Salvation Army Ladies Ministries has announced its spring schedule.
Home League will continue to meet 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays. The group will be making the banner for the annual Salvation Army Congress, which is March 28-31 in Juneau.
The Ladies Craft Group meets 2-4 p.m. Fridays. All are invited. Snacks, coffee and tea are provided.
For information, call Corps Sgt. Major Debe Brincefield, 738-4323.
PFD Payments
Testimony Taken
The Senate State Affairs Committee on Tuesday canceled Thursday’s hearing to discuss Supplemental Permanent Fund Dividend Payments.
Written testimony can still be sent to senatestateaffairs@akleg.com. Contact Ken at the Sitka LIO at 747-6276 with questions.
ANS to Meet
The Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 will meet 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the ANB Founders Hall.
New officers are: President Rachel Henderson, First Vice President Josephine Johnson, Vice President Ann Marie Johnson, Secretary Debe Brincefield, Treasurer Liz Marics, and Sergeant at Arms Nancy Furlow.
For information, call Debe Brincefield at 738-4323.
At Saxan Event
Set for Saturday
The Sheldon Jackson Museum will host an art activity 10-11 a.m. Saturday, March 16. Ages 6-10 can explore the pouches and small bags in the museum, and then make their own no-sew drawstring pouch. Registration is required for the free event. Call 747-8981 to register. Space is limited to 12.
5K Walk, Run
Listed April 6
A 5K walk and run is listed Saturday, April 6, at the O’Connell Bridge lightering facility. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the race begins at 9:30 a.m.
The $10 suggested donation will benefit the SAFV Shelter in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Contact Heleena van Veen for questions at 966-8914.
School Board Meets
For Budget Session
Members of the Sitka School Board will hold a budget work session 6 p.m. March 11 at the Sitka High School library. The board is encouraging community members to attend.
