In June 2008, 34 delegates from the City of Goodyear, Arizona traveled to Tampa, Florida to compete in the All-America City awards. On its first try, Goodyear won the highly coveted All-America City designation judged and awarded by the National Civic League.
A handful of Goodyear’s citizen delegates were inspired by the National Civic League’s mission of “doing good things community-wide.” And they pledged that when they returned to Goodyear they’d continue the mission.
Delegates Jennifer Barber, Brenda Bernardi and Kimberly Jones recruited an additional Goodyear citizen: Ginger Harman.
In the summer of 2008, these founders formed a grassroots organization called A.C.T.I.O.N. -- which is Active Citizens Together Improving Our Neighborhoods.
A.C.T.I.O.N. is a non-partisan group of motivated Goodyear citizens who work together to identify and improve various issues for the enhancement of Goodyear neighborhoods. A.C.T.I.O.N.’s mission is to collaborate with Goodyear business leaders, non-profits, citizens, youth, schools and government to make a positive impact on our community.
Members felt there was a need to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity and met with the City of Goodyear to discuss the issue. Mayor Cavanaugh encouraged A.C.T.I.O.N. to think broader and bring health and wellness opportunities to Goodyear for residents of all ages.
The A.C.T.I.O.N. committee was named “Goodyear In ACTION.” Board members, committee members and dozens of local businesses throughout Goodyear have joined the effort in its first year. Founding members of these early meetings included Jeff Stokes, Anton Pratt, and Amy Vasquez.
The mission? Goodyear In ACTION works to promote, educate and motivate Goodyear citizens toward living healthier lifestyles.
"As I strive for physical fitness as a personal goal, I have also set a goal for the City of Goodyear to be one of the fittest cities in America. I recently signed on to the National League of Cities Mayors Action Challenge for Children and Families, committing to a goal of encouraging a healthy lifestyle and environment in Goodyear. Goodyear in ACTION is a citizen-based group that promotes health and wellness and I am proud to support their efforts." - Mayor Jim Cavanaugh, City of Goodyear
Mayor Cavanaugh kicked off the first annual Goodyear In ACTION Day on September 26, 2009 with a hike at Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Throughout the day, hundreds of Goodyear residents celebrated Goodyear In ACTION Day by participating in a kids triathlon, community walks and cleanups, a bike rodeo, health fairs and in local businesses that opened their doors to the public free of charge!
With this success, A.C.T.I.O.N. chose to solely focus its efforts on health and wellness and formally decided to do business as “Goodyear In ACTION.”
In November 2010, Goodyear In ACTION unanimously agreed to expand its efforts. Goodyear In ACTION has opened its doors to the West Valley.
As the organization began to draw members and volunteers from around the valley, its board of directors chose to expand and change its name to Arizona In ACTION.
Today, Arizona in ACTION is a 501(c)(3) organization serving people of all ages in the state of Arizona. We promote, educate, and motivate people to live healthier lifestyles by collaborating with local businesses, schools, government, and citizens.
While Arizona In ACTION is a state-wide entity, its hub and heart will always remain in Goodyear, Arizona.
Mission Statement: Goodyear In ACTION promotes, educates, and motivates people of all ages in the West Valley to live healthier lifestyles.
.jpg)
.jpg)