There was plenty of laughter and good times at the city of Bonney Lake’s “Poker Walk” around Lake Debra Jane Aug. 25, but despite the fun, the walkers had a more serious goal in mind: being well.

The walk was arranged by the city’s award-winning Wellness Committee, designed to help bring city employees together for the sole purpose of supporting each other to get healthier, no matter where on the fitness spectrum they may fall.

“It’s really designed to benefit everybody,” said Human Resources Officer and Wellness Committee Coordinator Jenna Young.

Young took over the city’s Wellness Committee in 2006 with full support from both the administration and the council and their efforts have been recognized. For the last three years, Bonney Lake has received a designation as a “Wellness City” for the past three years.

The committee has a budget of $1,400 a year and is designed to help city employees focus on their mental, physical and social well being.

“Maintaining all those levels of health, you maintain your productivity in life,” Young said.

On Aug. 25, nearly 30 employees from multiple departments and jurisdictions (and some family members) set out from the Bonney Lake Senior Activity Center after work for a 1.5-mile lap around the lake. Along the route, the committee set up six stations for the walkers to collect playing cards with the best collected hand at the end of the walk collecting a prize.

Four stations also contained a brief game, taken from the NBC game show “Minute to Win It,” offering an opportunity to complete a short game in an attempt to win a second card for their poker hand.

At one stop, walkers attempted to flip a half-filled water bottle into the air and have it land standing up on a card table. At another, they had to stack three apples before collecting their card.

Permit Coordinator and committee member Jen Francis helped organize the walk “just to have fun outside of work” with fellow employees, she said.

Francis highlighted not only the healthy benefits of the walk, but the social aspect as well.

“It’s a fun activity for city employees to do and be involved in,” she said. “Every time we have an every we get to know different people.”

Young said it is easier to work toward a healthier lifestyle with support from others, something the committee hopes to provide.

Young also said the city program includes a large education piece to help employees learn more about getting and staying healthy, but the most popular program each year is the “Biggest Loser” weight loss competition. During it’s first incarnation three years ago, one city worker took off 60 pounds and continues to keep it off today.

Several walkers cited both the health benefits and social benefits of the walk.

“I needed to improve my health,” said city clerk Woody Edvalson after completing the 1.5-mile walk, adding that he has lost 35 pounds since he began working in Bonney Lake.

“It’s been very rewarding,” agreed Court Administrator Kathy Seymour. “You’re supporting each other.”

From the city’s standpoint, the hope is that healthier employees will be more productive and that in tight economic times, healthier employees will reduce costs to the city’s health plan.

“The wellness committee brings a lot of value to the staff but it brings a tremendous value to the city because it’s a happy staff,” Mayor Neil Johnson said, adding “It helps our healthcare costs.”

Johnson said the wellness committee was a “value added” program for “very little cost” that was a goal of his when he was first elected, though he credits Young with helping it really take off.

Young said the next program for the wellness committee is a play on the upcoming football season. Called “N.F.L.” the fall program focuses on “Nutrition, Fitness and lifestyle” through a football theme. Young expects a good turnout.

“We are reaching people and that to me is the most rewarding aspect,” she said.