Presented From The Heart
      
      To celebrate American Heart Month, Colchester Senior Center in Colchester, Connecticut, held a special program called “Sing And Dance For A Healthy Heart.” The event combined physical activity and nutrition. Songs were played that all had the word “heart” in them, such as “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” and “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” The 15 seniors in attendance danced around the room to the music. They also had heart-healthy fruits and vegetables for snacks. Each person was given a “Guide To Healthier Fast Food” Pocket Pal . The center holds a wellness program every few months on different topics, including shingles and strokes. Program Coordinator Irene Watson said the topic of heart health is very relevant to her group; many of them have had heart surgery and/or have pacemakers.

      The importance of a healthy weight for a healthy heart is known at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Twice the hospital has held a “Lose Weight To Win” weight loss contest. The contest lasts for eight weeks. Each time, approximately 180 people have participated and been placed into 18 teams. An entrance fee was collected, which later served as monetary prizes awarded to top teams and individuals. Everyone received a “Healthy Heart Nutrition And Fitness” Guide to get started and to use as a tool along the way. The contest emphasized good eating habits, fitness and stress relief, all factors in heart health. “The number one thing people could see was the weight loss,” said Health Improvement Incentive Program Coordinator Kristine Barrett. Weigh-ins every other week showed participants their progress. In 2006, the first-place finisher lost 16.6% of her weight and in 2007, the “biggest loser” lost 19.5% of his weight!

Foundation Of Information
   
   A display in the lobby of the Community Action Program in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, showcased its theme for March—the food pyramid. NutritionEducation Coordinator Judy Hahn estimated that 2,500 people came through the lobby during the month. She said she heard really positive feedback about the handouts from the display. Good Nutrition and Food Pyramid 5-On-A-Roll Stickers were some of the items given away. In addition to handouts, people received assistance with nutritional goal setting. “We hope they are now following the food pyramid,” Hahn commented.

   Lori Clark is a Registered and Certified Dietitian at Westview Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her dedication to nutrition was obvious in March. She sat outside the hospital’s cafeteria with table tents and a banner to reach out to employees. Her goal was to improve their knowledge of nutrition. “They are in the healthcare field but might not have current knowledge of what is nutritionally sound,” Clark said. She distributed Positive Promotions slideguides. And she offered Fast Food Nutrition Guides for $1.00 each, selling out her whole supply. Employees really did like the guides, she said.

   Agencies have discovered that child abuse prevention greatly depends on community support, increased parenting skills and childhood education. Child Abuse Prevention Month provides the perfect opportunity to focus on all three. Enhance your campaign with our parenting products and child personal safety materials. The “50 Ways To Set A Positive Example” Bookmark and “Stress-less Parenting” Handbook are new this year.

Protecting Their Well-Being

   Preventing child abuse is a year-round effort for Thessalonika Family Services in Temecula, California. During April, its activities increase with a campaign called “Kids First.” The agency uses a lot of advertising to direct people to its Web site and physical location. Thessalonika buys Educational Activities Books, for example “Be Smart, Say No To Strangers” , to put in the hands of teachers, parents and organization leaders who get the books to children. Also, representatives attend community events and church services to educate Temecula citizens. “People are shocked to find out that there is child abuse in our community,” said Clifford Nunn, Director of Development. Each year, a benefit concert raises money for the agency. Nunn said that before and after the music, they present child abuse statistics to open people’s eyes. At the concert’s intermission, items such as “Making A Difference One Child At A Time” Bookmarks are handed out.

   The Center For Child And Family Advocacy in Napoleon, Ohio, is another organization tackling child abuse. During the 2006/07 school year, the agency did 84 presentations in first-grade classrooms throughout a four-county area. The presentations feature “Kids On The Block” puppets speaking to children in three skits covering physical abuse, sexual abuse and stranger danger. The students receive “Let’s Learn About Safe And Unsafe Touching” Educational Activities Books. According to Prevention Coordinator Kathleen Bechstein, they are always happy to get the books. The children take the books home, hopefully starting a conversation with their parents, she said. In April, the center brings its message to the broader community by putting the puppets and some posters in a window downtown.

   The Clarke County Department Of Family And Children Services, located in Athens, Georgia, treated its employees to a health fair. Athens Regional Medical Center provided free blood pressure and BMI (body mass index) screenings at the fair. Executive Secretary Adrienne Willoughby said that a few employees out of 60 found out they weren’t doing so well. They later received suggestions for health improvement. In addition to the medical center, representatives from the department’s health insurance, employee assistance program, life insurance and 401K plan were there. A fitness center and Weight Watchers were on hand, encouraging employees to join. Also, the county health department presented information on nutrition and smoking cessation. Everyone in attendance got to take home items from the “Fitness For Life” Value Basket.

   In Thomasville, North Carolina, the Davidson County Senior Center is housed in a former school building.The center wanted to take advantage of the building’s size and temperature-controlled air, so it created the Silver Striders Hall Walking Program. For the last five years, seniors have had a safe place, complete with restrooms and drinking fountains, for walking laps regardless of the weather outside. An added bonus is that they can earn gifts, such as Ceramic Mugs and Deluxe Key Ring Lights for reaching milestones. In the shorter walking route, 21 laps equal one mile. In the longer route, 13 laps equal one mile. The prize for walking 1,000 miles is a dinner for two. Activities Coordinator Rodney Queen says he awards a lot of dinners. Every year, older Americans benefit from a seminar organized by the YMCA Retirement Fund. The organization has its offices in New York City, but the seminar takes place throughout the country, a different city each time. Speakers cover various aspects of retirement, such as financial planning, insurance needs and estate planning. Two hours are spent on health and fitness. “New Food Pyramid Calorie And Serving Finder” Slideguides went to the 60 participants in the Fund’s last seminar.

   As an outreach to the community of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Northwest Associates For Women’s Healthcare set up tables in front of its satellite office. The tables contained brochures on pregnancy, good nutrition, preconception planning, self-care and prenatal vitamins as well as the facility’s business cards. Each woman who visited the display received a 32-Oz Translucent Water Bottle. Clinical Coordinator Barb Kupi estimated that hundreds of women came by that day.

   The Barren River District Health Department is in charge of a booth at a women’s health fair in Warren County, Kentucky. Last year they focused on the importance of knowing your medications. Diabetes Coordinator Teresia Huddleston said fair attendees were advised to keep a record of medications with them and were given Medication Recorder Pocket Pals. Huddleston shared a useful tip: put the pocket pal right next to your driver’s license so it will be found during an emergency.

   In Paterson, New Jersey, men’s health took center stage at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. The facility held a Men’s Night Out, which was a Wellness At Work health event. Health screenings were available and convenient for the employees. Event attendees received “Know Your Numbers Men’s Health Tests and Recorder” Pocket Pals so that they would have a handy record of their readings at their next visit to the doctor.