The 2008 ACTION Health Awards Banquet was held yesterday, March 31, at the Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, PA. To our delight, Allison was able to finagle an appearance by the Daily Item’s Jamie North. Good for us. We ended up on the front page of the Local section today. Pretty cool. I guess if they are going to cover one of our events all year, this would be the one. Here is the full text for your convenience, here:

LEWISBURG — Over the past year, ACTION Health Inc. used its community partnerships to launch several health-care initiatives, such as teaching Valley elementary students dental hygiene and implementing a healthy cooking class for Spanish-speaking residents.

Alison Clark, ACTION Health’s executive director, said community partners will play an even bigger role this year as funding sources become more scarce because of the sluggish economy.

The nonprofit group, based in Danville, recognized its volunteers and partners Tuesday during its third annual awards and community recognition banquet in the Country Cupboard, Lewisburg.

Twenty-one community volunteers, human service organizations and schools were honored as Exemplary Community Partners in helping ACTION Health provide outreach and health education.

“Our community is generous with its time and expertise,” Clark said. “Without its support, we would not be able to do what we do.”

Among the recipients were Geisinger’s Henry Hood Center for Health Research for its work in promoting health literacy, Bucknell University’s Panhellenic Council for its work in cervical cancer education and Berwick Hospital Center’s marketing department for its help with community diabetes programs.

ACTION Health also honored 16 community task force officers who worked to implement education and awareness programs for aging and wellness, cancer, dental, health communications, healthy lifestyles and safety.

Clark said volunteers and fundraising will play more important roles this year for the nonprofit organization, which is sponsored by the six local hospitals and partners with more than 60 member agencies to meet the the Valley’s health needs.

“This is the first year we have had to run a fundraising campaign,” Clark said of the 12-year-old organization. “We’ve always pinched every penny, but now we’re really facing a challenge.”

Despite the dreary economic conditions, Clark said ACTION Health is moving forward with several new initiatives this year. They include the Cancer Task Force speaking to parents about human papillomavirus, cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine; the Aging and Wellness Task Force working on a safety and wellness program for new grandparents; the Dental Task Force concluding visits to area first-grade classrooms this month; and the Community Wellness Task Force seeking to network local farmers with food banks to provide more nutritious foods for the growing numbers of families in need.

Yea! for ACTION Health.

Thanks to all our commnity partner award recipients, volunteers, member agencies, board members and staff who made this year a smashing success. Let’s keep up the momentum for the remainder of the programming year!