YMCA Southcoast part of push for healthy change

The purpose of the initiative is to bring together people who can build healthier communities, with a focus on exercise, nutrition, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

YMCA Southcoast is one of 43 communities in 21 states to be chosen for the initiative, and is the only one in the northeast.

"By connecting leaders who can affect change, communities are helping to make healthy behaviors an easier choice, not just the healthier choice," said Nancy LaRue Bonell, executive director of the Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham. "These improved opportunities for active living and healthy eating are laying a foundation to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases that have taken such a serious toll on Americans."

Local health departments and the YMCAs are forming teams of 10 leaders, including elected officials, business owners, and leaders of school, hospitals, and other organizations. These teams will convene at an "Action Institute" in June in Alexandria, Va.

Donna Querin, a registered nurse clinician for the regional cardiac prevention program at Southcoast Hospitals Group, which includes Tobey hospital in Wareham, has been named YMCA Southcoast's Partner Coach for the ACHIEVE initiative.

CLOSE-KNIT GROUP: The Gleason Family YMCA knitting/crochet group in Wareham seeks knitters for its charitable work. The group is looking for additional knitters/crocheters to make hats, mittens, baby afghans, and scarves in very basic stitches for Turning Point, a resource center for homeless and battered families. Some yarn is available. Those interested can join the group at its regular Wednesday get-togethers at 1 p.m., or call Pat Lockhart at 508-295-1128 for more information.

BUSINESS BRIEFS: Sandra Armor, a retired teacher and longtime Whitman resident, has been re-elected to a three-year term on the board of directors at Mutual Bank, a community bank with nine branches throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. She has served on the board of directors since 1977 and is a member of the bank's executive committee. Armor taught mathematics at Abington Junior High School and later served as assistant administrator and math tutor at a national learning center franchise.

Connie Marchek of Foxborough has earned a grant for Compassion International, a global, nonprofit rooted in child development and advocacy, from Johnson & Johnson in recognition of her volunteer services. Marchek is an employee of DePuy Spine USA, a Johnson & Johnson unit in Raynham. She has volunteered at Compassion International for the past 11 years, and sponsors 16 children in Latin America, India, and Africa. Her support includes financial assistance and visits to the children's communities to help build homes, schools, and other resource facilities.

John C. Boucher (inset), president and chief executive officer of South Shore Savings Bank, has been named vice chairman of the advisory board of the American Bankers' Association's Stonier National Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania. He previously served on the advisory council for the America's Community Bankers national School of Banking at Fairfield University, which was merged into the ABA Stonier school.

Jeannette C. Travaline (inset) of Randolph has been appointed vice president of retail sales at South Coastal Bank. She was vice president of business development for Randolph Savings Bank for the past eight years.

Paul E. Kandarian can be reached at Kandarian@globe.com