Technology integrator TSAChoice, Inc., with offices in Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC, announces that the winner of its 10,000-step walking challenge is the Henderson County IT Department, and has donated $500 to the United Way of Henderson County on the IT Department’s behalf. The 10,000-step walking challenge was issued to TSAChoice’s customers and held during the month of December to help promote healthy lifestyles. Henderson County IT Department won with a team member average of 9,559 steps per day.

As the winner of the challenge, Henderson County IT Department chose the United Way of Henderson County as the beneficiary of TSAChoice’s donation. The donation will help support United Way of Henderson County’s 10-year plan for improving their community through four primary impact areas: Education, Income, Health, and Crisis Services/Basic Needs.

Becky Snyder, CGCIO of the Henderson County IT Department, says that they didn’t really develop a team strategy to win. “We are just pretty active in our daily routines,” says Snyder. “We are always on the move and we walk between the various County buildings downtown whenever possible.” Snyder provided pedometers for the team members who didn’t already have them.

Lynn Banks, a Sales Engineer with TSAChoice who organized the competition, says that TSAChoice had already challenged its own employees, but thought it would be fun to put their team up against their customers’ teams. “We had a great time and enjoyed a little friendly competition with our customers,” Banks says. “It kept our team in check. In the end, we are happy for Henderson County IT Department’s win, and they chose such a great organization to assist.”

The 10,000-step challenge was accepted by seven local companies: Commerce Services Corporation, Council on Aging, Express Employment Professionals, Henderson County IT Department, and Western Carolina Medical Society in Western North Carolina; and Spartan Felt Company and Peidmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group in Upstate South Carolina. The second place winner was TSAChoice with a team member average of 7,625 steps per day, and in third place was Spartan Felt Company, averaging 7,225 steps per day. Banks was pleased with the level of participation. “We thought it was a success and hope to do it again next year with even more participants,” she says.