How You Can Help Marion Become a Blue Zone Community

It's a busy year for .

Both Jill Ackerman and Ratchel Krug, the president and membership director of the chamber, have been trying to drum up support for the , and, in addition, they're also trying to rally the community around the Blue Zone Project.

The Blue Zone Project gives communities resources and grants to develop programs in order to make the community healthier and help it live longer.

Communities are selected to become "Blue Zone" communities based on several criteria, including community support.

So, in order to get the designation, show your support and become healthier by making a pledge on the Blue Zone Project website.

The chamber is trying to get 7,000 residents to the make a pledge on the site —that's 20 percent of Marion's population!

In order to lend a helping hand to the chamber and the community, take a pledge here and tell your friends, your Facebook friends, Twitter followers, landscapers or anyone who lives in Marion.

It's easy to fill out — it took me two minutes and I actually enjoyed it. 

Input your name, zip-code, email address and password. Then you, click on the tabs in the middle of the page and find one action that you like and feel comfortable pledging.

You can pledge to eat on smaller plates, as those who do tend to consume fewer calories, you can add some provided, healthier food items to your grocery shopping list, and so on.

I pledged to create a designated space for "quiet time, meditation or prayer," which is something I've been meaning to do, but have delayed. But since I promised to do so for a good cause, I will have to follow through!

Let us know in the comments what you've pledged to do.