Look all the way to the end to see what my Chi girls had to say!

What Is Your Pet Thankful For This Thanksgiving?
Share Your Pet's Tale of Thanks, "Like" the Petcentric Facebook Page, And Purina Will Donate $1, Up to $50,000, to Adopt-a-Pet.com



ST LOUIS, Nov. 22, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At Thanksgiving Day feasts across the country, families pause to reflect on the many things they are thankful for, and for millions of people that includes their pets. This year, Nestle Purina PetCare(R) is looking at this holiday tradition in a different way - from the pet's point of view.

Beginning on Thanksgiving Day, pet lovers are invited to visit the Petcentric by Purina Facebook page and share what their pet is thankful for. Stories of gratitude will be accepted until Nov. 27, and for each "like" of the Petcentric Facebook page Purina will give thanks to pet rescue shelters by donating $1, up to $50,000, to Adopt-a-Pet.com. Adopt-a-Pet.com is the largest non-profit homeless pet adoption website in North America*.

"Pet lovers show their appreciation for their pets every day, and on this special day of thanks we'd like to know what they think their pets are thankful for," said Danielle Behan, senior brand manager, Purina brand. "This is a fun way to engage pet lovers and to support a great organization, Adopt-a-Pet.com, in its mission of finding forever homes for pets."

The program will be highlighted during the National Dog Show Presented by Purina(R), which is scheduled to air at noon (local time in all time zones) on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, on NBC, following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Actor and National Dog Show co-host John O'Hurley will appear in a video during the telecast that features his four-legged friend Tater Tot and explores what the pup is thankful for at Thanksgiving.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the National Dog Show Presented by Purina. NBC launched the two-hour special in 2002 and it became an immediate hit with viewers, more than quadrupling TV ratings for that time slot from previous years. Nearly 20 million people tune into the show each year, making it a genuine family holiday tradition and America's most widely viewed dog show**. Some 2,000 of the nation's top dogs encompassing more than 160 breeds will compete for "Best in Show" this year.

The Petcentric Facebook page, located at www.facebook.com/petcentricbypurina, is an online community where pet lovers get together every day to share their love for their dogs and cats.

Adopt-a-Pet.com has more than 1.7 million unique site visitors each month and assists more than 11,000 animal shelters and humane societies find homes for their pets*.

Additional information and video available at www.internetvideorelease.com/thanksgiving.

About Nestle Purina PetCare Company

The North American headquarters for Nestle Purina PetCare is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Mo., where it was founded as Ralston Purina Company more than a century ago. Nestle Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. One of the leading global players in the pet food industry, Nestle Purina PetCare is part of the Swiss-based Nestle S.A., the world's largest food company. Visit www.purina.com.



Princess Kilala - I am so very thankful that my human Mom and Dad have me and that I get all the love, hugs and kisses on my neck that I wish for, and I am sooooooooooooo glad that Dad is taking care of me and yes that's right I get some chicken instead of turkey - cause I told him the turkey is not good for me... oh and yeah that morning I get to have turkey bacon and carrots - yummy in my tummy! Have a good thanksgiving!


Sassy Sissy - Well I like my new home been there since August but I get in trouble lots because I don't know when to stop picking on my big sis yet! But I am thankful for my home and all my chew toys even if sometimes I like to chew on things I should not be chewing on so much... ha ha and I love it when I beg on two legs and my human parents think it is so cute so I get lots of treats - I have them wrapped around my finger oh I mean paw! Have a great thanksgiving!

November - Winter/Fall is in the Air

November Awareness Month


Things you can be a part of - keep volunteering - I hear it is healthy for us!


Veteran's Awareness Week

Voices of Gratitude
A Holiday Tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces!
Add your voice to the campaign CanaryVoice is leading to let both active duty and retired military personnel know they are remembered and appreciated during the holidays.
FREE to add your tribute, simply CLICK HERE


If you are a non profit helping the Military, please send us an email so we can add you to the list. Send to annie@fundraisers.com.




The National Veterans Awareness Week resolution was written to help encourage, develop, and disseminate educational materials and activities. Students in elementary and secondary school learn about the contributions of veterans and their importance in preserving American peace and prosperity.

For more information, please visit >>> Veteran's Awareness

The Care Package Project

Help the Troops in Iraq! The Project currently ships over 700 care packages each month to Marines stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their database grows daily as Marines send names of comrades who are not receiving mail or care packages. You can help get care packages of needed items to these Marines!

For more information, please visit the >>> Care Package Project


United States Marine Corps Day

You can help the Marine Corps friends and family by supporting them while they support one another through boot camp and deployment.

For more information, please visit >>> Marine Corps Parents


Injured Marines Fund

Help them raise funds for Injured Marines and their families. Severely wounded Marines continue to fight battles here and at home and struggle to adjust to their injuries. This Organization provides financial support to injured Marines while they continue their long road to recovery, as well as aid for post traumatic stress disorder cases from war, and all branches of the U.S Military as the need arises.

For more information, please visit the >>> Injured Marines Fund

America Recycles Day

With the involvement and enthusiasm of people like you, recycling is back! And so are thousands upon thousands of recycled products made from materials that would otherwise be piling up in our nation's landfills. It doesn't just make sense. It makes a huge difference to our environment, our quality of life and our country's future.

For more information, please visit >>> National Recycling Coalition


Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

The National Prostate Cancer Coalition provides information and services, including symptoms, prevention, treatment and free screenings. Their website offers the internet's most comprehensive list of prostate cancer information and resources.

For more information, please visit >>> The National Prostate Cancer Coalition


Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Today marks the beginning of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month- a time to educate the public about pancreatic cancer, a little-known disease, which kills one person every 17 minutes in the U.S. Pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, has a 99 percent mortality rate Ð the highest fatality rate of all cancers; yet it receives the least amount of federal funding of any cancer for research to find effective treatments.

For more information, please visit >>> The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network


National Alzheimers Awareness Month

The Alzheimer's Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research and support, is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer's. For 25 years, the donor supported, not for profit Alzheimer's Association has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes.

For more information, please visit >>> The Alzheimer's Association

American Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are 20.8 million people in the United States, or 7% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

For more info, please visit >>> The American Diabetes Association

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM) is a national campaign dedicated to increasing attention to lung cancer issues. By organizing rallies, distributing educational material, holding fund-raising events, contacting Congress, and speaking to the media, those involved in LCAM bring much-needed support and attention to a disease that each year kills more people than breast, prostate, colon and pancreas cancers combined.

For more information, please visit >>> The Lung Cancer Alliance

Great American Smokeout

Every year, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout¨ by smoking less or quitting for the day on the third Thursday of November. The event challenges people to stop using tobacco and raises awareness of the many effective ways to quit for good.

For more information, please visit the >>> American Cancer Society

America Education Day

Help celebrate American Education Week (AEW). This year's theme, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, highlights the importance of bringing together educators, school staff, parents, students, and communities in a unified effort to build great public schools. The theme also reflects NEA's vision of calling upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century.

For more information, please visit >>> America Education Day

Prematurity Awareness Month

Every day 1 in 8 babies born in the U.S. arrives too soon. Premature birth can happen to any pregnant woman, and no one knows why. It is a serious, common and costly problem. The March of Dimes is leading the campaign to reduce premature births by supporting research and by educating the public and health care providers.

For more information, please visit the >>> March of Dimes

National Adoption Awareness Month

Each year, November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month. While all adoption-related issues are important, the particular focus of this month is the adoption of children currently in foster care.

For more information, please visit >>> Adoption.com

National Council For Adoption

NCFA has been a champion of adoption since its founding in 1980. Whether as an advocate for state laws that promote sound adoption policy, a resource for federal officials and policymakers about appropriate federal adoption initiatives and reform, a diplomat for sound international adoption policy, or a source of adoption facts and education, NCFA is devoted to serving the best interests of children through adoption. Learn more about the ways in which NCFA works to promote the positive option of adoption.

For more information, please visit >>> National Council For Adoption

Child Welfare Adoption Clearinghouse



Resources on all aspects of domestic and intercountry adoption, including adoption from foster care. Includes information for prospective and adoptive parents; information about searching for birth relatives; and resources for professionals on recruiting adoptive families, preparing children and youth, supporting birth parents, and providing postadoption services.

For more information, please visit >>> Child Welfare Information Clearinghouse

National Family Caregivers Month

The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) supports, empowers, educates, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for a chronically ill, aged, or disabled loved one. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of different diagnoses, different relationships and different life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers. They are committed to improving the overall quality of life of caregiving families and minimizing the disparities between family caregivers and non-caregivers.

For more information, please visit >>> The National Family Caregivers Association

Hallo-ween Tips for a Safe one in 2011

FOR your Humans

Halloween Safety for Kids & Teens



Kids love Halloween! They get to dress up and get free candy! What a perfect holiday! Give your kids some precious Halloween memories that they'll have for life.

Some of you kids already know things that you can do to be safe, like how to cross the street, not to talk to or go with strangers and things like that. But we adults know how exciting Halloween can be and that can make you forget to be careful.

Here's some tips that we have just for you kids, to help keep you safe on Halloween night! Some of these ideas are called "common sense" ideas, that means that they are things that you should know and use every day in life. You are never too young to learn!

Never, ever go into a strangers house or even ring their door for treats unless your parents are with you and say that it's okay. There are some people in life that aren't very nice to kids and you have to be careful. Always make sure that your mom or dad is within sight when you go out trick-or-treating.


Be careful when you cross a street. Make sure to look in both directions and make sure that there are no cars coming. If you have a little brother or sister with you, take their hand and help them get across the street, too. If the street has a stop light, wait until the cross walk light tells you that it's okay to cross now, but still check before you cross, look both ways.


If you are an older kid or young teen, and going out with friends, make sure that your parents know where you are going and who you are going with. This may seem like a pain but they are your parents and they love you. They just want you to be safe.


If you can drive and are taking a bunch of friends to a party, make sure that you have enough gas to get there. You don't want to run out on a dark street, all alone, like a bad horror movie!


If you parents give you a curfew, be home when they say. It builds trust between you and them and they are doing it for your own safety. If you are going to be late, call them and let them know.


Vandalism is never cool! Throwing eggs at cars and houses is not cool. Someone has to clean it up and it could be you, if you get caught. You can also be arrested and punished as a juvenile. So, don't think that it's fun only if you can get away with it. It's never the right thing to do! Think about how you would feel if someone did that to your house and how bad it would make you feel.


Hurting animals is never acceptable behavior! Some people use Halloween as an excuse to hurt cats and that is just wrong! Not only is it illegal in most places to hurt or torture animals and punishable by law, you should never hurt a helpless living thing.



Halloween Safety Tips for Adults


Parents of trick-or-treating kids can get so caught up in the fun themselves that they might forget some simple safety ideas that could keep everyone out of trouble. Having a fun and safe Halloween will make it all worth while!

Kids love Halloween! They get to dress up and get free candy! What a perfect holiday! Give your kids some precious Halloween memories that they'll have for life.

If you take your kids to a sponsored event, like a safe Halloween thrown by your church or community center, make sure to keep an eye on them at al times. Even though it seems less dangerous, you are still in a strange environment full of people that you don't know. All it takes is a minute with your back turned to find your child gone.

Cell phones are everywhere now! Everyone seems to have one, they can be so affordable. Make sure that your child has a pre-programmed cell phone with him/her if they go out on Halloween night! Make sure that all important numbers are already there and ready for use.

Below are more common sense tips that can help adults keep their kids safe.

As bad as it sounds, this is just a fact of life now. Get on the internet and check your local state website for sex offenders. Almost every state has one, just do a search for your state sex offender site. Look up your zip code and it should have a list of registered offenders in your area that includes street addresses. Make sure that your kids stay away from these houses!


Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren't going with them. Let them know that they are to check in with you every hour, by phone or by stopping back at home. Make sure that they know not to deviate from the planned route so that you always know where they will be.


Trick or treating isn't what it used to be. In most cities it's not safe to let kids walk the streets by themselves. Your best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them. If you can't take them yourself, see if another parent or two can.


Help your young child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure that it's fire proof or treated with fire retardant. If they are wearing a mask of any kind, make sure that the eye holes are large enough for good peripheral vision.


Know what other activities a child may be attending, such as parties, school or mall functions. If they are going to be at a friends home, get the phone number and make sure that you've met the parents.


Make sure you set a time that your kids should be home by. Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time or to call immediately if something happens and they are going to be delayed.


Kids will be kids. Explain to kids of all ages the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem funny but they need to know the other side of the coin as well, that clean up and damages can ruin Halloween for everyone. If they are caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they've made.


Some sick people find Halloween a great night to hurt cats. Explain to your kids that animal cruelty of any kind is not acceptable. Kids may already know this on their own but stress the point that it's not acceptable behavior. Make sure that they know that harming animals is not only morally wrong but punishable by law and will not be tolerated.


Serve your kids a filling meal before trick or treating and they won't be as tempted to eat any candy before they bring it home for you to check. Check your local grocery store or craft store for Halloween cook books full of tasty treats on a horror theme for both kids and adults.


Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on. Make sure that costumes won't get in the way when they are walking, which could cause them to trip.


Teach your kids about not getting into strangers cars or talking to strangers, no matter what the person says to them. Explain to them as simply as you can that some adults are bad and want to hurt children, that they should never go into a house that they don't know, get into a car or go anywhere with a stranger. Also, tell them what to do should this happen, to scream as loud as they can to draw attention and to run away as fast as they can to someplace safe.


Be sure to show your children know how to cross a street properly. They should always look both ways before crossing the street and should only cross at corners or crosswalks. Make sure that if you have more than one child, they know to take the hand of the younger child when they cross a street.


FOR your animals


You may know those aren't real ghost and goblins out trick or treating, but your pet doesn’t. Dogs and cats are creatures of habit and are liable to become frightened or agitated by the unaccustomed sights and sounds. Constant ringing of doorbells and knocking can be unsettling for them. Halloween candy can also pose a danger for pets, particularly chocolate, which can be harmful, even fatal to them. So, hey kids, watch those treats-no sharing with Fido. Finally, there is a sense in the humane community that certain pets are at risk of becoming unwilling participants in the darker side of Halloween activities. So, attention, Black Cat owners, please keep an especially good eye on your beloved feline. Take some simple precautions and be sure to keep your pet indoors during the witching hours, and have a safe and happy Halloween!

Happy Fall

What does fall mean to you?


Fall can be a wonderful time of the year, if you make it wonderful!

This season can be used for connecting with friends or family over a cup of coffee or tea with cookies.

Fall can also be used to simply relax by a fireplace or fire pit with a good book, blanket and a cup of tea or hot coco.

Fall is also a good time of the year to reflect and plan, the stillness in the air can keep you focus, try it..you may start doing this every year!

Fall can also be good for volunteering - from being a volunteer for so many years I always see an increase during the fall months - so go out and find your passion and volunteer - remember you never ever know when you may be the person needing the help!


For me:

I do all the above during fall plus I love to listen to uplifting music and clean out the house of all the old and start anew - and did I really stress (in a good way) to volunteer - it really does relieve stress (no punt intended) - thanks for volunteering!

Helping those in need every year!

Hubbard House - Every Relationship Violence -Free

If you can help just send me a email at heartofavolunteer@yahoo.com or inbox my facebook to let me know how you can help! Thanks for the support!


Every year I help collect items for those in need and this year one place I have picked is: Hubbard House


Hubbard House depends on the support of the community to continue to provide safe emergency shelter and other services to abused women and their community. Below is a sample list of collections ideas to better acquaint you with the needs of the agency:


Top 10 Volunteer Collection Ideas

HELP is a PHONE CALL AWAY: Old cell phones

HELP stock the KITCHEN cabinets: Pots, pans, dishware, oven mitts, dishtowels, and can openers etc.

HELP stock the LINEN closet: Pillows, sheets and blankets

HELP keep it Clean: Bleach, toilet paper, paper towels

GIVE a SMILE to a child entering shelter: small toy, crayons & coloring books, small puzzles

HELP lift a victims' spirit: Stamps, Stationary & pens, journals, umbrellas

HELP stock the FOOD pantry: Canned foods, tuna cans, Juice boxes, Cracker packs,water

HELP take care of personal and health needs: Body wash, soap, toothpaste and tooth brushes, feminine hygiene, pain meds, first aid kits

"SHOWER" our babies: Diapers (all sizes), blankets, baby wipes, pacifiers, bottles, bottle cleaners, strollers and carriers

HELP our families celebrate: Travel size games, activity books, journals, crayons or color pencils

HELP our families achieve independence: provide new home welcome kits, or stater kits for bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc, suitcases filled with basic needs for personal care and towels



If you do not want to go through me you can also contact them at donategoods@hubbardhouse.org



Happy Fall season and it is a good reason to volunteer!




Volunteering Is Easy!

Benefits of Volunteer Work!

Benefits of Volunteering


Gain valuable life experiences and skills -

Whether your child builds houses for the homeless or mails flyers for a local politician, He/she will experience the real world through hands-on work. He/She can use this experience to explore their major or career interests.


Meet interesting people -

Volunteering brings together a variety of people. Both the recipients of your child's volunteer efforts and his co-workers can be rich sources of insight. For example, he may learn about the legal profession from a former lawyer he visits at a convalescent center.

Ask and answer questions -


How much time do I have to commit?

Do I want an ongoing regularly-scheduled assignment, a short-term assignment, or a one-time assignment?

Am I willing to participate in a training course or do I want to start my volunteer work immediately?

What talents or skills do I offer?

What would I most like to learn by volunteering?

What don't I want to do as a volunteer?

Do I want to work alone or with a group?

With what kind of people do I want to work-both in terms of who is receiving my services and who my co-workers might be?


How you get involved -


Look around your community and in the phone book to see which programs are there and need help.

Visit your city or town Web site. It may list volunteer opportunities in your community.
Contact your local United Way, cultural arts association, student organization, or umbrella association that can point you in the right direction.

Ask your library, church or synagogue, and/or community colleges if they sponsor any volunteer groups.

Check out the following websites to learn more about causes and to find volunteer opportunities near you -


SERVEnet

Network for Good

Idealist.org

VolunteerMatch

Do Something


Surf the web for more ideas and don't forget to ask at your work or local schools and even church groups they are alway willing to tell you how or when something is going on right within your our area of town! WHATEVER THE CASE - just get involved - go volunteer!

Awareness in October

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month


For more than two decades, the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has educated women about breast cancer, especially the importance of detecting the disease in its earliest stages through screening mammography, clinical breast examination, and for women 20 years of age and older, breast self-examination.




National Child Health Day


A future America in which the right to grow to one's full potential is universally assured through attention to the comprehensive physical, psychological and social needs of the maternal and child health population. We strive for a society where children are wanted and born with optimal health, receive quality care and are nurtured lovingly and sensitively as they mature into healthy, productive adults. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau seeks a nation where there is equal access for all to quality health care in a supportive, culturally competent, family and community setting.


Healthy Lung Month & Clean Air Month

The American Lung Association is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States, with a National Office and constituent and affiliate associations around the country. Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, the American Lung Association¨ today fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health. The American Lung Association¨ is funded by contributions from the public, along with gifts and grants from corporations, foundations and government agencies. They Lung achieve their many successes through the work of thousands of committed volunteers and staff.



National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to realize their life aspirations. NDSS is committed to being the national leader in enhancing the quality of life, and realizing the potential of all people with Down syndrome. The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy.



National Lupus Awareness Month

With nearly 300 chapters, branches and support groups in 32 states, The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is the nation's leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes and cure for lupus. Their mission is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, support individuals and families affected by the disease, increase awareness of lupus among health professionals and the public, and find the causes and cure. Research, education, and patient services are at the heart of LFA's programs.

Loved the latest issue on Heart Health News

From the American Heart Association - to learn more visit the American Heart Association near your city or on-line at www.heart.org

What can a pear or apple each day do for you? and more


Table of Contents

• What can a pear each day do for you?
• Meet the 2011 Go Red Women
• Want a delicious biscuit recipe?
• Elizabeth Banks directorial debut
• Scholarship opportunity
• Get a fabulous new travel mug
• Enroll in Thanks for Sharing



News

Healthy lifestyle habits lower heart failure risk
If you don't smoke, aren't overweight, get regular physical activity and eat vegetables, you can significantly reduce your risk for heart failure. Read more.

An apple or pear a day may keep strokes away

Apples and pears may keep strokes away. That's the conclusion of a Dutch study published in which researchers found that eating a lot of fruits and vegetables with white flesh may protect against stroke.



Announcement

Inspiring women selected to represent Go Red

Last February Go Red For Women held a nationwide search to find women whose personal experiences with heart disease would motivate others to Make It Their Mission to fight heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women. We found six stories that not only inspire others, but changed the way these women think about heart disease.

Meet these women, hear their stories

• Jamie, 36 A heart disease survivor who received two ultimate gifts - a new heart and a surrogate for her twins

• Liz, 43 A heart disease survivor and mother of four who went from running 15 miles a week to crawling up the stairs of her house in a matter of only three weeks

• Eva, 39 A Latina heart disease survivor and nurse who put others first, ignored her own heart condition and did not follow up for 13 years

• Tamara, 33 A woman whose life was changed forever in her teens when her mother died of a heart attack in her arms

• Dianne, 53 A heart attack survivor and fitness instructor who is living proof that heart disease can happen to anyone

• Shermane, 40 An African-American stroke survivor who confused her symptoms with first date jitters



Recipe of the Month

Angel Biscuits

Serve these delicious biscuits with a meal or enjoy for breakfast!



Feature

Elizabeth Banks uses comedy to make her point

Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks directs and stars in the first-ever Go Red For Women short film "Just a Little Heart Attack," inspired by the real-life stories of women who have been affected by heart disease. The entertaining, yet poignant film, provides a powerful wake-up call to women across America to understand their risk for heart disease and empower them to put their health first.
Take a few minutes to watch the film and tell 5 women you love to do the same!
Share this:



Heart Health

Know someone working toward a career in medicine?

A career in medicine does not have to be out-of-reach. If you or someone you know is dedicated to helping your community combat heart disease, complete an application for the Go Red™ Multicultural Scholarship Fund today.



ShopGoRed

Products purchased from ShopGoRed.com benefit the American Heart Association and help fund awareness and education to fight heart disease in women. Check out this month's featured product and more at Shop Heart.

Go Red Travel Mug Ditch your hum-drum coffee mug and reach for something more fabulous! $12


Sponsors

Macy's

Macy's is a proud national sponsor of Go Red For Women. For each Thanks for Sharing enrollment made from Sept. 14 through Dec. 31, 2011, Macy's will donate $10 to national and local charities, up to a total of $15 million, with the first $3 million donated to Go Red For Women..


Learn more about the companies that support Go Red For Women.

http://www.goredforwomen.org/sponsor_programs.aspx




TM Go Red trademark of AHA, Red Dress trademark of DHHS

Enjoy - August and September

Here are some more photos of the kids - Princess Kilala and Sassy Sissy are now best friends/sisters - they are so funny together now!

Here is a photo of me with Paula Deen - NOT if you look really close you can tell that it is her cut out we missed seeing her, but the food was Yummy at her resturant (Lady and Sons) We had a great visit in the beautiful downtown area of Savannah, GA.


Clay County Health Fair - Volunteering for the American Heart Association - this event was so much fun - I had the chance to pass out information about the AHA and let people know about the events coming up such as the Heart Walk, Heart Ball and also ask them a few questions - to know if they are heart healthy?


Here is a note from the AHA - and the photos from the walk - what a great cause and great event!

Greetings, Janice

First off, THANK YOU very much for helping make this our most successful Heart Walk in Jacksonville’s History!! We estimate 15,000 plus participants. Thanks to your support, volunteerism, and leadership we made history on this UNFORGETTABLE day!
To those of you who have provided feedback, thank you. If you have not had an opportunity to share any feedback with me, please do so. We are committed to making the Heart Walk the premiere outdoor walking event in America! Our overall event goal is one million and we are still on track to get there before the year’s over! If you are still trying to reach your company goal I would be more than happy to help plan some internal contests with incentives to help you get there!
Once again, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the American Heart Association. We hope to see you all again next year!

P.S. We plan to distribute the “Official” 2011 Heart Walk t-shirts in October, so stay tuned Heart Walk Heroes.

Sincerely,

Chris Atib
Heart Walk Director
American Heart Association
Greater Southeast Affiliate
5851 St. Augustine Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Direct 904.256.5716



Enjoy until next post!

Happy Hearts!

Volunteering is Easy!

Holidays = more Volunteering maybe?

Q & A - so I thought I would try to answer some of the questions I get about volunteering!


Why do so many people only choose to do volunteer work during the holiday seasons?

Could be because that is the greatest need during the holiday depending on where you live - the holiday season since that's when the weather is brutally cold and people can't glean for food, find a source of drinking water, or find a warm place to sleep. November - Feb is when food banks, shelters, soup kitchens are strained which may account for why so many people volunteer during those times.



Not just because we are struggling financially as a nation, that people are homeless?(right) I am just wondering why is it people are fixed on seasonally signing up to do volunteer work and then it's mainly for the many soup kitchens?

Again, I do believe that really depends on where you live, you are correct people were homeless long before however the numbers show us they are up because of the increase of JOB loss as well. Most (soup kitchens - have the means to help more folks that is the main reason why - they house the folks and get them a step plan to help them back onto their feet in most cases! And they can feed the ones who stand in the lines 3 meals a day - and this is an easy way for a lot of folks to get involved 365 days out of the year - with little time needed so thus why they volunteer more at soup kitchens - the work is fairly easy and only a couple of hours per shift!

Why does volunteering have to be seasonal when it's needed 365 days a year every year?

I for one have many causes close to my heart and volunteer year round. (ha ha) and I think that all of us should! hint hint - though really -------- People have busy lives and have a hard time finding time to volunteer, or maybe they haven't found that special cause they just have to be a part of. Holiday time brings out the best in most people as we think of getting together with family and friends and share time together...inevitably we also think of the less fortunate and actually find the time to commit to making others lives a little better.


Conclusion:


You are right...we need more volunteers on an ongoing basis in many areas...a lot of non-profit organizations can not provide the services they do without the assistance from volunteers. What great questions...I hope it sparks some people to think about a cause that is close to them and go seek out a volunteer cause and or help with many of them. Volunteering is fantastic for so many reasons! and always remember you never know when that someone could be YOU!

Happy volunteering :)

American Heart Association - Heart Walk

Find a walk near you or join me September 24, 2011 at the First Coast Heart Walk - Jacksonville, Florida at the Met. Park at 8:00am the walk begins at 9:00am

http://www.firstcoastheartwalk.org

Save those CAPS

CAPS WITH AVEDA

Aveda found that a majority of plastic bottle caps do not get recycled today.

Often these caps end up as litter or trash and migrate into our rivers and oceans. Birds and other marine creatures mistake them for food with tragic results. The magnitude of this pollution problem is devastating to our oceans and wildlife.

In partnership with community schools, preschool through 12th grade, we have built a recycling program for plastic bottle caps. Aveda has been able to work closely with our suppliers to develop ways to make new caps from the recycled caps We currently incorporate caps into our professional hair care line and will continue to incorporate recycled caps into future Aveda products. Due to the enormous growth over the last few years, the schools program has reached capacity, and as of January 31, 2011 new school enrollments are no longer being accepted.

What type of caps do we collect?
The program accepts caps that are rigid plastic, sometimes noted with a 5 in the chasing arrows recycling symbol.

This includes caps that twist on with a threaded neck such as caps on shampoo, water, soda, milk and other beverage bottles and pharmaceutical lids, flip top caps on tubes and food product bottles (such as ketchup and mayonnaise), laundry detergents and some jar lids such as peanut butter. Click here to download a Cap Collection Guide.

Excluded from collection are non rigid lids such as yogurt lids, tub lids (margarine, cottage cheese), and screw on lids that are not rigid. Please do not include any metal lids or plastic pumps or sprayers. Unfortunately, too much of the wrong types of materials can contaminate the recycling process.

A primary goal for this program is to encourage local recyclers to accept plastic bottle caps. Please support this by advocating for this recycling improvement in your community.

June, July and August - Out and about events and updates with life!

Well so much has been going on for the last 3 months!

June and July was all about vacations and family time with lots of volunteer events and pageantry mixed in! August also had pageants, volunteer events and life change with a new addition to our family - We are the proud owners of Sassy Sissy - a Cream color Chi - she is a deer head - took some time to adjust to our family and now she is best friends and sister to Princess Kilala we love her she is such a delight! She will never replace the love of my life (Sir For your pillay only) - Pepper Domino Oulton however I know Pepdog is looking down on our family and protects us always and he would want me to get another baby to love and knows that sister needs a playmate!

Kilala celebrated her Birthday July 17th and then I celebrated mine on the 19th - she is 4 years old - wow where does the time go - and lol I am not telling my age however I will say - I feel pretty darn good trying to keep learning lots and have a long bucket list to get through before this lifetime ends!


Had a wonderful time with my friends and family - on a much needed vacation! Wish I could see family all the time! That is so special and dear to me so much more now that I am getting older and wiser! LOL

Congrats to the New Miss Florida (Kristina Janolo) and Miss Florida Outstanding Teen (Elizabeth Fecthel)- Everyone did an amazing JOB you all should be very proud - congrats Kalen Dennis - have a great time at the National Sweetheart Pageant - kick some pageant crown!

Wonderful event - the United States Pageants - Jr. Teen, Teen, Miss and Ms. - Las Vegas, NV - Congrats to Ms. Lynda Samuels and staff once again and to the New Queens - everyone did such a wonderful Job - I loved being apart of this event again this past July!


Congrats to the New Perfect girls - everyone did a great JOB - that pageant is always a great one to watch!

First Coast Heart Walk - Kick off event = success we are working hard for the walk with great fund raising events!

Donations went off without a hitch for Operation Back to school (Backpacks)

The United Way events are in full swing!

WOW and can I say WOW again - Canie Cocktails event was a blast!

Making Strides Cancer Walk event with Bake sales and Jewerly making events underway!

We had a great time at the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless - feeding 450 Man, Women and Children - I also had some wonderful donations come in to give to them as well - lots of food and some soap, shampoo items! Can't wait for the next event! And if you look real close at the Sulzbacher photos - you will see that I am holding - it's a potato & it looks like a Heart - thought that was cool not sure if it was some kind of sign! so if it was we kept it and I decided to take every photo with it - lol! Everyone was like AWE that is so sweet b/c they all know that American Heart Association and the Center are close to my Heart!

Oh and I guess you all know by now I am - Mrs. Jacksonville Beach International competing September 10-11 in Orlando,Florida for Mrs. Florida International - come out and support if you can!

Congrats to the New - Mrs. International - Janet Bolin - love her platform - All about me some Nascar and love the Nascar Foundation! Sounds like it was a wonderful show - I can't wait to have my dreams come true to represent Florida at the International Pageant 2012.



NEW NEWS - Congrats to the New America's Outstanding Teen -Elizabeth Fecthel Go Florida and to the New Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen - Rachel Strever - WOW Florida is on a roll - and shout out to the New Mrs. United States - Shannon Ford - Go Florida - Congrats to all!





Enjoy all the photos!

Always remember (Volunteering is Easy and fun to do!)

August - Awareness & Volunteering

Medic Alert Month

The MedicAlert Foundation is a non-profit healthcare informatics organization dedicated to providing services worldwide to our members that protect and save lives.




Psoriasis Awareness Month

The National Psoriasis Foundation is a patient-driven nonprofit organization that is the voice for the 5 million people affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our mission is to improve lives through education, advocacy and research.




Amblyopia Awareness Month

Since 1908, Prevent Blindness America has been the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization with the sole mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight.



National Pain Awareness Month

The National Pain Foundation is an online educational and support community for persons in pain, their families and physicians. It's a great source for treatment options and pain information that is peer reviewed by leading pain specialists.


National Night Out:
America's Night Out Against Crime

The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of organized, law enforcement-affiliated crime and drug prevention programs. Members include: Neighborhood, Crime, Community, Town and Block Watch Groups; law enforcement agencies; state and regional crime prevention associations; and a variety of businesses, civic groups and concerned individuals working to make their communities safer places in which to live and work.


www.natw.org//