SAN BENITO — Local leaders are encouraging the community to get active for the It’s Time Texas Community Challenge.
Sponsored by H-E-B, the challenge is a free, statewide competition in which Texas communities compete to see which can demonstrate the greatest commitment to healthy living.
It’s Time Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, first-of-its-kind cause organization that empowers people to lead healthier lives and build healthier communities.
Several cities in the Rio Grande Valley are taking part.
This all started Monday, but the challenge will run through March 30.
Wednesday, Sandee Alvarez, the San Benito Chamber of Commerce executive director, said she’s already signed up.
She signed up the Chamber as well as the Rotary Club, she said.
“Registration is simple,” she added.
Participants are given an automatic 1,000 points toward their community when they register.
When signing up to participate in the challenge, select the community to represent during this year’s competition, not the school, school district, and/or organization you work for or with.
The communities are classified by size. San Benito falls under the smaller category while Harlingen is placed in a larger city category.
San Benito is currently ranked at 15 with 19,150 points. Harlingen is ranked at number two in their category with 211,950 points.
“What we need to do to get points for the community is sign up individually,” Alvarez said.
Once you’ve successfully registered, you will then be able to submit activities as a representative of a school, school district, and/or business or organization.
If you own a business, you can also sign up, Alvarez said.
To gain more points individually, participants can take selfies or photos of themselves eating healthy and being active.
Winners will be announced on the It’s Time Texas Facebook page.
The winning community in each size category will receive a $1,800 community grant to put toward future health-related efforts.
Winners will also receive a trophy, school district banner, Governor’s certificate, web banner and badge, and 15 free registrations to the 2017 Summit event.
Runner-ups, recognized communities, and school district winners will also receive plaques and other forms of recognition and will be invited to the community challenge award in spring.
