Building community, one lap at a time

September 9 marked the first time Dr. Harold Melleby and Henry Maurer walked side by side down the closed storefronts of their local mall. Regardless of their untimed introduction, the two chat without missing a beat, bonding over their love for their community, the chronicles of being grandfathers and approaching retirement, and most importantly, their desire to keep up their monthly walks at the Cherry Hill Mall.

Melleby and Maurer aren’t your typical mall crawlers. Instead, they are part of a growing community of mall striders who took a pledge towards wellness alongside Mayor Dave Fleisher.

Looping around the regional mall’s serene food court, the early morning stroll allowed the two plenty of time for conversation, without the interruptions of crowded lines and bustling shoppers.

“This might be my third or fourth walk here,” said Melleby, passing a row of empty massage chairs. “It was made possible by the mayor.”

Striding ahead of the walking duo, Mayor David Fleisher ensures no mall walker goes unnoticed during their lap around the shopping center. Along the way, he interacts with members of his community, many of whom have supported his initiative, and all of whom are making healthier choices through the township’s wellness initiative.

His goal is quite simple: encourage his community to get active, eat healthier, and know their numbers through accessible community wellness events such as these. Showing fitness doesn’t always just start with a high-end gym membership, but can sometimes be as simple as putting one foot in front of the other at your local mall.

“We all can do better to live a healthier lifestyle,” said Fleisher, lapping past a shuttered shoe department store. “If I’m hosting, it means I’m getting my sneakers on, and I’m getting my steps in, too,” he commented jokingly, rounding another corner of fellow walkers.

According to the American Heart Association, walking is one of the easiest ways to move your body toward a healthier life. Its numerous benefits include reducing the risk of serious diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several types of cancer, while also improving blood pressure, boosting energy, and improving your mental and emotional well-being by reducing the risk of depression.

If the physical benefits weren’t reason enough to join this community of dedicated striders, many participants of the Mayor’s Wellness Walks say the draw is the community built along the way. Partners of the Mayor’s Wellness Walk include Jefferson Health staff, the Cherry Hill Police Department, and members of the Mayor’s office, all of which had meaningful conversations with residents of the community they serve.

It’s easy to see why the mall is the ideal space for monthly walks. In the climate-controlled indoor shopping center, there is no need for rain dates, and it accommodates bathroom breaks with places to rest and catch your breath between laps. More importantly, the quiet morning walks give returning visitors the chance to mingle with new walkers along the way, in an environment quiet enough to focus on social connection rather than the distractions of ongoing shoppers.

With two more monthly mall walks planned for October 28 and December 2, there’s plenty of time left in the year to lace up your shoes and join this growing community of mall striders. With no plans to slow down the healthy community initiative, Fleisher believes it’s the people of Cherry Hill who make the South Jersey community a great place to call home.

“We are a community that looks out for each other, and values our neighbors” said Fleisher, looking out at
the gathered group of seasoned mall walkers. “And the Mayor Wellness Walks are just one example of how we are bringing people together for good reason. I’m just glad to be part of a local government that cares about their community.”

For more information on the Wellness Campaign Pledge or to register for any upcoming events, check out the Cherry Hill Township Community Page.