Citizens celebrate the city's character

Playful, active, neighborly, artistic. Bloomington residents are all these things. They will have the opportunity to celebrate such qualities this year with the "Be Bloomington" campaign. \nSponsored by Mayor Mark Kruzan and Bloomington, the campaign will feature a different theme each month, along with activities that support it.\n"I campaigned on the importance of preserving and promoting community character and wanted to follow through on that commitment once I was elected," Kruzan said in an e-mail.\nMaria Heslin, communications director for the city of Bloomington, is in charge of the yearlong program.\n"Be Bloomington was designed to celebrate the unique character of the city. The community is encouraged to participate in the activities," Heslin said.\nEach month's events will be organized by a local nonprofit organization. The Bloomington Animal Care and Control department will be hosting events on pet safety and care to go with February's theme of "Be Compassionate."\nAlong with nonprofit organizations, local businesses will also be contributing.\n"We have CFC Inc. and Irwin Union Bank," Heslin said. "We also have the Tutto Bene wine bar providing space and refreshments for an event this month."\nThe response from the community has surprised the organizers.\n"Some groups have had unexpected results. This past August, the Girl Scouts had a booth at the Farmer's Market and were able to get 50 new volunteers," Heslin said.\nWith the impact of the program, it will most likely be a permanent part of the city's community programming.\n"Given its success and its very low cost, the initiative has earned a permanent spot in our administration," Kruzan said in an e-mail. \nThis past month's theme was "Be healthy." The Monroe County YMCA featured a family night that also featured health and wellness information tables from the Bloomington Hospital.\nAlong with support from residents, local radio station B97 has played a role in promoting the campaign, \n"We support (the campaign) because B97 is Bloomington's radio station," B97 general sales manager Dale Clark said. In addition to promotional spots, the station also conducts on-air interviews. "We want to do anything we can to help the community," he said.\nFor more information on the "Be Bloomington" campaign, call 349-2222 or go to www.bloomington.in.gov/bbbb.