Trails from Freeport earns $7,500 grant from Wellmark

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced at noon Thursday that it was awarding a $7,500 grant to the Trails From Freeport group as part of its 75th Anniversary celebration.

In all Wellmark awarded a total of $120,000 to 16 projects in Iowa and South Dakota.  The final 16 projects were chosen from more than 100 entries because they demonstrated a long-lasting impact on making the healthy choice the easy choice, and improving overall community health and wellness in their communities.

More than 84,000 votes were received during the 19 day on-line voting period that ended earlier this month.

The $7,500 grant will be used by Trails From Freeport to help build the Freeport Trail.  Construction of the 2.52 mile trail to allow the residents of Freeport to safely reach Decorah by bike will begin later this year and continue next year.

"We were so impressed with the caliber of projects submitted, the importance of them to the communities, and the long lasting impact they will have on generations to come," said Wellmark Executive Vice President for health care innovation and business development Laura Jackson.