From the middle of September to the end of November, employees of Shore Bancshares, Inc. along with their family of companies (Avon-Dixon Agency, Freestate & Son, Elliott Wilson Insurance, Jack Martin Yacht Insurance, Talbot Bank, CNB and Wye Financial & Trust) took part in a friendly walking competition with the goal of walking the total distance between every Shore Bancshares location in their footprint. The “footprint” covers an area of 320 miles from the Chesapeake Bay to the Delaware Bay. Each location and branch competed as a team representing their respective site.

The ten-week program, promoted by the Shore Bancshares Wellness Committee, encouraged employees to develop a walking routine that would increase their activity level and overall health. Employees could start at any physical level and work to improve their stamina each week. As a guideline, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports recommends walking 30 minutes a day, on five or more days a week, or 10,000 steps daily. Employees needed to average 32 miles per week for ten weeks in order to complete the total 320 mile walk. Employees were given the incentive of having their name entered in a raffle for a chance to win an Apple iPad if they averaged 25 miles per week. The winner of the iPad was LaVonne Medford from the Talbot Bank, Tred Avon branch.

Two hundred and forty eight employees participated in the wellness program with 40 employees completing the 320 mile footprint. The top five teams walked a combined average of 1,780.78 miles. Shore Bancshares is committed to promoting a culture of wellness and healthy lifestyle practices to fellow employees through education, encouragement and self-participation. The Shore Wellness Committee consists of 11 employees who meet regularly to plan programs that support this wellness mission of Shore Bancshares.