AARP and Blue Zones leaders will kick off the Vitality Project’s second phase Thursday at the Albert Lea High School Auditorium.

The second phase, organizers say, is the main one.

The gathering, at 7 p.m., will be the chance for people to begin their involvement in the project, which was originally announced in January. During the kickoff, Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner and other project leaders are expected to unveil what people can do to live longer and healthier lives.

“I think it will be a fun, inspiring event,” said Albert Lea Community Education Director Chris Chalmers, co-chairman of the local Vitality Project leadership team. “It will be just a festive atmosphere and a great experience.”

The goal of the project is to help Albert Lea residents live longer and better lives, specifically adding at least 10,000 years of projected life expectancy to the residents in the city.

During the first phase, which has taken place during the past five months, city leaders have met with AARP and Blue Zones leaders, walkability experts, health experts and nutrition experts to work on environmental changes that can help the city’s residents live better lives.

The second phase of the project involves individual changes and commitments to leading a healthier lifestyle. That is what the kickoff will explore.

Chalmers said Buettner will give an overview of the program and some of its highlights, and people in attendance will be given a packet that explains more about it.

In the packet, there will be a form for people to fill out to enroll at no cost, and participants will be asked to sign a pledge. They will be asked to choose at least four out of 14 changes to implement into their lifestyle.

Brian Wansink, author of “Mindless Eating,” will share advice on how people can set up their homes to make them more active and healthy, Chalmers said.

After the presentations, there will be tables in the commons area offering information about gardening, walking and other areas of interest.

Nancy Graham, editor of AARP The Magazine, is slated to attend. She is planning to do one-minute screenings of people interested in being feature families for the Vitality Project. The families, whether single, widowed or married and who are interested in helping tell the Albert Lea story to a national audience, can talk to Graham, said Joel Spoonheim, Blue Zones health initiative director.

“We’re just really looking forward to a great turnout,” Chalmers said. “It will be a fun way to kick off the summer. I think we’re just looking forward to putting our best foot forward and really showing that we’re committed to this project.”

The auditorium doors will open at 6:15 p.m. with overflow seating in the high school gymnasium. Live broadcast and feed will be in the gym.

If people have questions about the Vitality Project, Chalmers encouraged them to come to the kickoff to get them answered.
What: Vitality Project kickoff

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: auditorium, Albert Lea High School

Cost: none

Spoonheim said USA Today will be in town capturing some of the kickoff, so people can expect to see them there as well.

After the kickoff over the next few months, there will be numerous activities organized to help people discover their purpose, learn how to eat healthy, start a walking Moai, among others. A Vitality Project booth will be at the Albert Lea Farmers Market throughout the course of the season.

During the Monday Albert Lea City Council meeting, several council members encouraged residents to come to the kickoff.

“As a community we have to look at this as an opportunity,” Councilor Vern Rasmussen said.

Councilor Reid Olson said he’s talked to other young parents who expressed that they think the Vitality Project is just for older people. Olson said he wanted to point out that the generation of kids nowadays is expected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.

He encouraged young parents to come with their children.