On Thursday, August 20, for the first time, the Governor’s Fitness Awards were held as a virtual event.

“With the pandemic, we couldn’t hold our gala and looked for a new way to present the awards to our fellow Michiganders,” shared Amy Ghannam, President and CEO of Michigan Fitness Foundation. “By expanding the interviews filmed over the winter originally intended for the live event, we were able to recognize and share their extraordinary stories and shift to a virtual presentation to our YouTube channel.”

Nominations from Michiganders began last fall, and earlier this year GFA finalists were selected by a panel of judges from across the state. The winners are:

Charles T. Kuntzleman Accepting the Challenge Award

Lottie Ferguson, Mount Morris

Active Community Award

City of Mackinac Island

Director’s Champion of Health Award

Regina Hardy, Detroit

Extraordinary Organization Award

Project Healthy Schools – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Heath Star Award

Matt Laura, Jackson

Healthy Workplace Award

Large Workplace

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Detroit

Medium Workplace

Bell’s Brewery, Galesburg/Kalamazoo

Small Workplace

Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP), Marquette

Outstanding Event Award

Meijer State Games of Michigan, Grand Rapids

Perennial Award

Fred Price, Livonia

Vern Seefeldt Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom

Presented by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports and the Michigan Fitness Foundation, the Governor’s Fitness Awards recognize communities, organizations, and individuals who inspire people to eat healthy and move more where they live, work and play. Nominations for the 2021 Governor’s Fitness Awards will open in the fall. For more information about the awards or how to nominate a person, community or organization, visit https://michiganfitness.org/gfa.