Promoting Health Through Better Walkways in Marble City

Marble City also received a TSET Healthy Incentive Grant in 2022 to establish the Marble City Farmers and Art Market.

The Town of Marble City is using a TSET Healthy Incentive Grant to create safer, more accessible walkways for residents and encourage healthier lifestyles throughout the community.

The project includes sidewalk and infrastructure improvements designed to increase walkability and improve safety for residents traveling to schools, parks, businesses and other destinations. Community leaders say the upgrades are helping remove barriers to physical activity while creating stronger connections across town.

“We really don’t have any income coming in to support our infrastructure. The only way we have to take of any of these major projects is through grant funding. Getting these types of grants, which TSET is a big one … is the lifeblood to keeping us going with our infrastructure projects,” Marble City Mayor Tamara Hibbard said. “It makes me feel good to be a part of making this happen for the residents, for the people.”

Marble City leaders hope the improvements will encourage more residents and families to spend time outdoors, stay active and safely navigate the community. The project also highlights the impact local partnerships can have in creating healthier environments for rural Oklahoma communities.

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Find FREE Summer Meals for Kids

Families across Oklahoma can access free summer meal programs for children and teens through schools, community organizations and local partners statewide. Programs provide free breakfasts, lunches and snacks for children 18 and younger at no cost.

Families can find nearby meal sites through Meals4KidsOK.org, operated by Hunger Free Oklahoma. The resource includes a searchable map of meal locations and additional summer nutrition support available across the state.

Oklahoma Students Lead First CounterAct Tobacco Day of Action

Students across Oklahoma celebrated Healthy Youth Day by promoting healthy habits and tobacco-free lifestyles through community events supported by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. Held April 18, Healthy Youth Day brought together students, schools and community partners for activities focused on nutrition, physical activity, mental health and tobacco prevention.

The day of action highlighted the important role young people play in building healthier communities and encouraging positive lifestyle choices. Students participated in interactive activities and educational opportunities designed to make healthy living fun and accessible.

Healthy Youth Day also showcased TSET’s continued investment in youth health initiatives across Oklahoma. Through partnerships with schools and local organizations, TSET supports programs that help young people develop healthy habits early and avoid tobacco use.

Organizers said the events gave students an opportunity to learn practical ways to support their physical and mental well-being while encouraging healthier futures for Oklahoma communities.

Perspective: Lance Thomas in the Journal Record

This month in the Journal Record, TSET Interim Executive Director Lance Thomas highlighted how investments in community design can improve public health outcomes across Oklahoma.

The piece connects the upcoming Route 66 Centennial with the importance of safe walking paths, parks, access to healthy foods and tobacco-free spaces in helping Oklahomans live healthier lives.

Thomas also emphasized how TSET-funded community improvements support both public health and local economic growth in communities across the state.