Don “Red Dog” Gardner, who started the Red Dog’s Dog Days community workout program in 1984, will receive a Hometown Health Hero award Wednesday from the Governor’s Council on Fitness.

The award ceremony will be at noon in the Marvin Auditorium of the Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th St.

The Governor’s Council established the award in support of the Healthy Kansas initiative.

Individuals across the state who have either had a significant impact on their community or a great personal achievement in areas of physical activity, promoting healthy diets and/or working to prevent tobacco use, are recognized.

Other recipients are:

¢ Jack Wortman, a retired Hutchinson doctor who has provided startup and sustaining funding for several local health advocacy initiatives.

¢ Kristey Williams, mayor of Augusta. She teaches an aerobics class, prepares runners for races and conducts holiday walking tours through neighborhoods. She was also a catalyst for Play Park Pointe, a community-built playground.

¢ Waldo McBurney, Quinter He is a 105-year-old beekeeper and was recognized as the oldest working American in 2006. He still walks more than one mile to work every day, is the founder of a community exercise group for senior citizens, and began running marathons at age 65.