Professional fitness coach Debra Atkinson, who is a Reinbeck native, spoke to more than 130 women gathered for a Grundy County Memorial Hospital Foundation scholarship fundraiser.

REINBECK More than 130 area women gathered for a “Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Friends” event at the PT Event Center, rural Reinbeck. Sponsored by the Grundy County Memorial Hospital Foundation, the evening focused on the connection between fitness and overall good health. Professional fitness coach and speaker Debra Atkinson, MS, of Boulder, Colorado, provided inspiration for how daily movement and attention to the foods we eat can make a difference in energy level, disease prevention and improved health. Her message for the women’s audience is to “start small” when beginning a commitment to better health.

Wellness exhibits at the event featured information on relaxation and stress relief strategies such as yoga, massage and painting, as well as information from the hospital on key health screenings.

The event raised $1,752 for the Foundation’s scholarship efforts thanks to the generosity of the guests in attendance, who learned that by the year 2020, up to 1.3 million new nurses will be needed in the U.S. because of impending retirements and an aging population.

The Foundation’s Health Care Career Scholarships of $1,500 and $1,000 are

awarded to area students enrolled in a health care program, including nursing. Eligible students should reside in Butler, Grundy, Hardin, or Tama counties, or have graduated from high school in one of the four counties that make up the hospital’s service area. The Foundation will be awarding nine scholarships in 2017 with applications accepted until May 31st. Application materials may be found at grundycountyhospital.org, Ways to Give, Scholarship page.