Activate Allen County is coming to Bluffton on Friday.

The public health initiative, committed to reducing obesity and smoking in Lima and Allen County by promoting healthy eating, active living and a tobacco free lifestyle, is the featured program at Friday's Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

The free event is open to the public and takes place in the Bluffton town hall.

In addition to educating and inspiring people to make healthy choices, Activate Allen County educates people about the relationship between policy, environment and community design to their health and well-being. Activate Allen County focuses on changes that remove barriers and increase access to healthy behaviors.

Kayla Monfort, Healthy Eating Team Leader of Activate Allen County, is the featured speaker.

She will explain the Activate Allen County grant and programs offered. She will also explain how chamber members can become involved in this movement that targets areas concerning health and wellness.Working in partnership with health initiatives across the County and State, Activate Allen County aims to provide everyone living in Allen County access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity in places that they live, work, worship, learn and play.

Friday's agenda

7 to 7:30 a.m. - free breakfast
7:30 to 8:30 a.m. - program
8:45 to 9:15 a.m. - Free social media workshop

Also on Friday's agenda

• The Bluffton Pedestrian and Bike Pathway Board will make a major funding announcement at the breakfast.

• In recognition of St. Patrick’s Day, Steve Johnson of Ada, will perform briefly on the bagpipe.

• Plans to activate a “non-retail” interest group from chamber members will be announced. The downtown merchants primary focus is on retail activities. The chamber is interested in holding a meeting with members who are not involved in retail sales. Several ideas to promote this membership area will be discussed.

• Social media workshop - Following the breakfast, at 8:45 a.m., the chamber will offer a free workshop on Facebook, Linked In and Pinterest.

Vicky Myers, chamber intern will lead the workshop and will share information on how these three social medias can benefit your business. She is also scheduling free one-on-one social media consultations with chamber members. She can set your business up on any of these three medias.

To attend any or all of Friday's free events email an RSVP to: [email protected]