The Washburn University Wellness Club is a student organization that was created three years ago to promote healthy living and wellness. Today, the club has grown into an opportunity for students to join in on bettering themselves, as well as the university, and the community.

Every other Monday at 6 p.m. in the Ichabod Room of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, the student organization holds their meetings.

Rachel Howard, president of the Wellness Club, said that this isn’t only for people who are very fit or concerned with wellness.

“There are many dimensions of wellness besides nutrition and fitness. We don’t want people to be afraid to join because they eat McDonalds on a regular basis or they aren’t physically fit,” she said.

The club participates in many service projects to promote healthy living, both on Washburn’s campus and with other community-based organizations. In the past, they have done the Aid Stations for the Relay for Life 5K and 10K, where they handed out bottled water to participants. Also, the annual All Night at the Rec, which takes places in February, is put on by the club. In the past at this event, students have been provided with the opportunity to join in on fun and games such as volleyball, Guitar Hero, Wii games and remote control car races. Food and prizes were also given away at the event.

Megan Kirkhart, secretary, said that they will be participating in many new activities this year, so it would be a great time for those interested to join.

“We will be participating in the MS Walk this year, which I will be coordinating. We are also considering hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness volleyball tournament here at the Rec,” she said. “As well, we’re working with the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association, which allows us to communicate with schools across the country.”

The National Intramural Recreational Sports Association offers scholarships and awards to students as well as providing them with ideas for events and opportunities for future jobs.

The WU Wellness Club currently has 50 members. There is no membership fee for those interested in joining. The next meeting will be held on Sept. 14, at 6 p.m.

For more information on how to become a member contact Rachel Howard at [email protected], Megan Kirkhart at [email protected], or call the Student Recreation and Wellness Center at (785) 670-1314.