Cochise County issued the following announcement on April 15.

Cochise County has been recognized for its efforts to not only become a healthier workplace, but for expanding that philosophy into the community.

Healthy Arizona Worksites awarded its top honor to the County – Platinum status – for the impact it has made both within and beyond its walls and for addressing a local health challenge.

Volunteer Cochise was launched on National Rural Health Day in November 2018 by Cochise County Health & Social Services with the goal of encouraging both employees and residents to give back to their communities.

“The impact of Volunteer Cochise translates in the number of participants and the influence they are creating in their communities,” said Health Policy Manager Daniella Reidmiller. “Since the fall of 2018, Volunteer Cochise participants have collaborated with more than 20 organizations and given approximately 910 hours of their time to good causes.”

Those organizations include VFW Post 836 in Bisbee, Boy Scouts of America, Douglas Youth Football, Willcox Against Substance Abuse, Sierra Vista Football League, and Northern Cochise Community Hospital.

The program has a dedicated webpage on the County website (https://www.cochise.az.gov/health-and-social-services/volunteer-cochise-helping-community-health), which provides resources and helps people find volunteer opportunities.

The County chose to pursue a volunteer program because it believes volunteering has multiple benefits.

“It can help you connect to others, it improves your mind and body, it can help you gain new skills, and it can be a lot of fun,” said County Health Director Carrie Langley.

The County was previously recognized as a healthy worksite when it was given the Healthy Arizona Worksite Gold Award in 2018.

The 2019 awardees will be honored at a ceremony on May 1 at Phoenix College.

Sherry Haskins, Worksite Initiatives Manager, Maricopa County Department of Health, said, “Cochise County has demonstrated data driven programming and is leveraging cross-sector collaborations or partnerships improving the health, well-being, and equity of their community.”

Original source can be found here.