Albert Einstein once said, "Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living."

This week, I'd like to share with you a few stories about folks -- two local business owners and a group of high school students -- who are giving back to our Ellicott City neighborhoods by providing their time and energy to help others.

Brian Jolles is a man on a mission -- to promote health and wellness in Howard County. His mission started through his own journey with his father's ill health and with his work in the insurance industry.

In his professional life, Brian and his wife, Lisa, have operated Jolles Insurance of Ellicott City for more than 25 years. In that time, they have noticed that up to 75 percent of health care costs are attributable to poor diet and exercise.

In his personal life, Jolles witnessed his own father's death at an early age due to a life long smoking habit and lack of exercise and good nutrition. These experiences motivated Jolles to change his own eating habits and start an exercise routine which he adheres to today.

In Brian's personal quest for health and wellness, he has inspired neighbors and community members to join him in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

If you are driving in his Waverly neighborhood in the early morning you might see him leading a group of neighbors on a community boot camp which often starts before morning's first light. And his latest venture is the creation of the nonprofit We Promote Health, an organization dedicated to promoting the health and wellness programs in Howard County.

Last spring, We Promote Health launched the first Healthy Howard Day at Centennial Park. More than 2,000 people attended the day long event that showcased the county's plethora of health initiatives at work and in schools and businesses.

Healthy Howard Day's success is largely due to the collaborative efforts of the powerhouse partners that support the event including the Columbia Association, Howard County Health Department, Howard County Public School System, PTA Council of Howard County, Howard County General Hospital, Giant Foods, Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Howard County Department of Parks and Recreation and more.

Just listening to Brian rattle off the long list of HHD partners gives your mind a mental workout. I'm sure if you follow him around town as he meets with potential and current HHD partners you'd get a good physical workout, too.

Mark your calendar -- the second annual Healthy Howard Day is just around the corner Sunday, June 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Centennial Park.

This free, family friendly, fun-filled event will feature activities for all ages. Kids will enjoy a 60-foot inflatable obstacle course, junior boot camp and fitness games while adults can participate in CA exercise classes including Zumba and Tae Bo.

A healthy restaurant row will feature a sampling of Howard County's delicious heart healthy foods from Rumor Mill, Great Harvest, Noodles & Company plus healthy snacks donated by Fruition and Brothers-All-Natural. Free health screenings are back as well as live performances by community groups such as Kangaroo Kids and the Waverly Elementary School Early Bird Chorus.

New this year is an entire section devoted to alternative medicine sponsored by Tai Sophia featuring yoga, massage and acupuncture demonstrations.

The PTA Council of Howard County's Wellness Committee will host an education section devoted to showcasing school wellness initiatives from elementary, middle and high schools. Learn about Centennial Lane Elementary School's Wellness Snack pilot program that introduced students to natural and organic snacks in the school cafeteria and see Burleigh Manor Middle School's Doors to Health Art Exhibit.

A new sports area will feature basketball and laser tag. In fact, the basketball area will feature the first ever Doug Delllinger Shoot-Out, in memory of the Mt. Hebron High School graduate who was a model of good health through his involvement in sports. The Soccer Association of Columbia will also be there along with some of their professional soccer star friends from the Baltimore Blast and Washington Freedom.

Special appearances will be made by Sandra Shaw, WBAL Channel 11 weather telecaster as well as some of our favorite furry friends -- The Oriole Bird and Howie the Howard County Health Department's Healthy Howard dog.

Thanks for all you do to keep our community healthy, Brian. For more information or if you would like to participate as a school, business or group call Melba Phipps at melba@wepromotehealth.org or call 410-988-3786.

Lisa Martin is the owner of WellnessEvolution (www.wellnessevolutionstudio.com, a wellness studio in Columbia. With a degree in dietetics and personal training coupled with a certification in strength and conditioning, Lisa brings more than 12 years experience to her clients -- some as young as 9 and as old as 80. WellnessEvolution offers signature programs that focus on women and kids such as their Women's Boot Camp and kid wellness programs.

She has a passion for helping young people learn about the benefits of physical activity.

This is evident in her volunteer work with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition where she serves as the School Health Workgroup Co-Chair. When Centennial Lane Elementary School PTA Wellness Committee asked Martin for advice to improve its Wellness Wednesday Recess Fitness Program, she volunteered to personally design and implement a new program. Martin's goal was to get kids involved in exercise by making it fun not competitive utilizing non-sport activities. As childhood obesity rates continue to rise in this country, fitness programs like these take on a more powerful role in the health of our children.

Martin made a commitment to CLES to conduct the new program during all recess shifts for almost the entire month of May on Wellness Wednesdays - which meant all grades (kindergarten thru fifth grade) would have the opportunity to participate.

I attended the third-grade recess program where kids participated in a team building relay race and tag touch exercise. The children raced around until they were tagged. Once tagged, Martin instructed the kids to lay down and squirm like worms until they were untagged. The sights and sounds of smiles, laughter and squeals of delight from the students were infectious -- and drew the attention of other kids who jumped at the chance to participate. I don't know who had more fun -- the kids or Martin.

When recess finally came to an end, the kids yelled to Martin, "Are you coming back tomorrow?" CLES parent Amy Bandiere heard the same reaction from her first grade son Carter, "He came home raving about the recess program!" she said. Thanks to Lisa for teaching our students that exercise can be fun and rewarding.

When students form a new high school club the first year can be challenging, especially attracting new members. Not true for the Horizon Club at Centennial High School.

In the Club's first two months, they have attracted more than 80 student members. What would make so many busy high school students join you might ask? The answer might surprise you: service to our community!

The Club's mission is to provide opportunities for students to participate in service activities that match their interests and talents in order to promote the spirit of giving back to the community.

"The Horizon Club seeks involvement in personal and interactive service projects that will not only help build a stronger community but also build character and promote civic responsibility among the members. In collaboration with the Horizon Foundation, it is our goal to form ongoing partnerships with local organizations to support their missions and serve the needs of the Ellicott City community," said Julia Southern, CHS guidance counselor and Horizon Club adviser.

Founded in March, the CHS Club has participated in an Earth Day painting project at Centennial Park and the Columbia Triathlon in support of the Arc of Howard County.

The idea to establish the Horizon Club was developed through a partnership with the Ellicott City Horizon Council, an advisory group to the Horizon Foundation. One of the Council's primary areas of focus is student community service and philanthropy. The CHS Horizon Club is the first high school in Howard County to pilot a Horizon Club. The goal is to eventually expand the Horizon Clubs to all county high schools in the coming years.

Thanks Horizon Foundation for creating outlets for our students to learn about the value of community service. We're glad you are in our community.

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