PANA, Ill. – LiveWell Fitness of Pana Community Hospital is the 2024 Community Partner Award winner for University of Illinois Extension in Christian County. The fitness center was selected for its continued support of Illinois Extension’s nutrition and wellness programs. A new partner in recent years, staff at the fitness center are always open to new ideas and readily assist in advertising, registration, and implementation. By providing a teaching space accessible to many, LiveWell Fitness ensures that classes focused on chronic disease prevention and food preservation reach a great audience and are regularly well-attended. “Nutrition and wellness programming in Pana has not had success until 2023 through this partnership, and we are very grateful to the hospital for providing important health programming in the community. We hope to continue to expand our collaboration in the future to meet the wellness needs of the Christian County community,” said Lisa Peterson, Extension nutrition and wellness educator.

University of Illinois Extension serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties are exceptionally proud to provide this award to Tim Casner, LiveWell Fitness Director, and the staff of LiveWell Fitness in recognition and gratitude for their service to Extension. “Illinois Extension relies on strong community partnerships in all aspects of our work. From providing facilities or volunteers that assist with programming to offering financial support or exposure to new audiences, Extension staff and volunteers are grateful and appreciative of each of our community partners and the support they provide,” said Sara Marten, Extension county director. 

This award is sponsored by the Extension Council of University of Illinois Extension, serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties. The council recognizes a community partner throughout our four counties each year. Extension Council is a volunteer board that serves in an advisory role cooperating with Extension staff in planning, promoting, developing, implementing, evaluating, and financing an Extension program designed to meet the needs, interests, and resources of the local communities.

Photo Caption: (left to right) EmJ Jackle-Hugh, Nancy Ashcraft, Lisa Peterson, Tim Casner, Pam Baldwin, and Carol Schramm.