POTSDAM -- Nearly 100 employees participated in Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s “On the Move for Others” Holiday Challenge, raising $1,427 for the Food Bank of Central New York, which serves the North Country.

“On the Move,” part of the hospital’s CPHealthy employee wellbeing program, is an ongoing physical activity challenge where participants earn points based on the time they spend exercising each day, for completing reading assignments and self-assessments, and for encouraging and “boosting” each other.

They track their activity online, which enables participants to link devices like Fitbits and the website.

The hospital’s CPHealthy program committed to donate $1 to the Food Bank of Central New York for every 100 points earned by the “On the Move” participants between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

By Christmas day, more than 142,700 points had been earned, translating to a $1,427 donation to the Food Bank.

“In the past when we’ve done activity challenges, we have typically included prizes and incentives for the participants,” said Director of Wellness and Sustainability Laura Cordts. “We thought it would be motivating to do something for others during the holiday season. Rather than donating to one local charity, we decided to support the Central NY Food Bank, because it provides assistance to all the food pantries in our region,” Cordts said.

“I’m so proud of our employees,” she said. “With this challenge, they not only improved their own health and fitness, but they also helped ensure that others across our communities have access to nutritious food.”