Community Captains Initiative

Active Southern West Virginia (ActiveSWV), a nonprofit promoting healthy lifestyles, announces its Community Captains initiative. ActiveSWV is now recruiting “Community Captains” who will lead their friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers in living a more active lifestyle. There are 74 postal districts in Raleigh and Fayette Counties. ActiveSWV intends to organize a network of at least one Community Captain from each district, with more than one in larger towns. West Virginians have always been proud of their unique communities and it is this sense of place that will inspire residents to improve their quality of life, starting with health and wellness.

Melanie Seiler, Executive Director of ActiveSWV, said that this grass-roots effort will “emphasize structure by organizing local groups in making regular exercise a daily commitment. It will be up to local groups to determine what types of activities best match their members. ActiveSWV will coordinate and mentor Community Captains as the program develops.”

Matt Morris, owner of Elite Sports Training and Board Member of ActiveSWV, has experienced many inspiring stories of individuals who have overcome challenges to staying active and healthy. He recalls “One client was severely disabled due to sudden illness yet fought back with a program of daily exercise and now is 100% recovered.” Matt has already recruited 25 Community Captains for the ActiveSWV program.

Following the completion of this pilot project, Community Captains will be recruited in other southern West Virginia counties, including, but not limited to, Nicholas, Summers, and Greenbrier. Community Captains may have a variety of backgrounds from church leaders to EMS personnel or just anyone who is into fitness. To learn more about becoming a Community Captain, please contact Melanie at 304-254-8115.

Active Southern West Virginia is a partner with the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan.