Muskogee City Council member Bob Coburn has one main desire for the Christmas holiday season.

“I need to go from being overweight to not being overweight,” he said.

Coburn will have a little help and motivation to reach that goal. He was one 20 City of Muskogee Foundation board or committee members and employees who had themselves weighed, measured and poked as part of the Foundation’s Walk the Talk challenge.

The Foundation, which awards grants to Muskogee projects, is challenging itself to get healthy and set an example to the community. The challenge was open to Foundation employees and members of its board and various committees. After six months, the Foundation will honor the participant making the most progress by making a $25,000 donation to a charity of the participant’s choice.

Foundation board members discussed offering similar monetary incentives to get other groups to “Walk the Talk.”

Foundation Executive Director Frank Merrick said he wants the Foundation to set aside money to give other groups participating in the challenge.

“I’m thinking of Rotary challenging the Exchange Club,” Merrick said. “If Rotary wins, we could direct maybe $2,000 to the charity of its choice or its own foundation. We’re going to generate a lot of challenges.”

Merrick said the board would work on a policy for group challenges at its September meeting. He said groups would be at least 30 people.

Dr. Tim Holder, chairman of the Foundation’s Health and Wellness Committee, said several groups already have expressed interest.

“I’ve gotten word from one bank and the Rotary Club, and I heard tonight that the Muskogee Wellness Initiative is interested,” Holder said.

Volunteers from the Connors State College nursing program weighed participants, took their blood pressure, checked cholesterol level, weight, height and body mass index. Participants will be measured again in six months — right after the Christmas holiday feasting frenzy.

Merrick said he doubts the feasting will hurt the effort. He said many participants are pretty motivated.

Coburn, who leads the Foundation’s investment committee, said he hopes to lose some weight.

“I had hoped to reduce my blood pressure, but I found my blood pressure is fine,” said board member Sharon Venters. “So I hope I can reduce two dress sizes.”

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

More info

If your group is interested in participating in the City of Muskogee Foundation’s Walk the Talk challenge, or challenging another group, contact Lynsie Laughlin at (918) 577-6562.