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Greater New Hope Church and Ministries in Preston is turning faith into action through a long-running wellness effort aimed at combating obesity in Caroline County and surrounding communities. Thanks to grant funding from the Caroline Foundation, they have been able to expand their programming.
As Director of Programs at Greater New Hope, Savannah Winston oversees the grants that make this work possible. She described Greater New Hope as a faith-based organization that uses its Fitness in Action program to bring health resources directly to local residents. The initiative, now seven years old, is a cohort-driven wellness program that meets in both the spring and fall seasons.
Fitness in Action participants commit to regular sessions that combine physical activity, nutrition education, and self-care. Winston said that each gathering includes 30 minutes of exercise, followed by an educational hour focused on healthy eating and nutrition, and concludes with a healthy lunch. The program also brings in professionals in fitness or health-related fields to share additional tips.
In November 2025, Greater New Hope received funding from the Caroline Foundation in support of Fitness in Action. “The dollars that we receive through the Caroline Foundation allow us to continue the program and additional resources for the program,” Winston said, “It gives us those resources to be able to provide healthy meals to our participants, be able to engage instructors in various wellness and nutrition areas, and just giving us that opportunity to keep the program going.” Winston’s hope is that through grant funding like this, the program can remain free or low-cost to community members.
