Volunteer Week - April 18-24, 2010

Have you had the chance to volunteer this week? It is not too late to do so, please know that there are many ways to volunteer!

When you help someone in need you get something back which is a warm feeling inside knowing that you are doing your part at giving back to those in need. Remember you never know you may be that person some day needing a helping hand. So please while you are able help someone else no matter what when you do it spreads like fire and others will follow your lead!


Thanks for volunteering!


http://www.handsonnetwork.org/events/nvw2010
National Volunteer Week, a signature event of Points of Light Institute, celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things to improve communities across the nation.

Commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the Volunteer Generation Fund, our theme -- Celebrating People in Action -- honors individuals who take action and solve significant problems in their communities.

National Volunteer Week Highlights:


Advance the Get HandsOn! campaign goal of mobilizing 500,000 volunteer leaders by activating volunteers in service for Global Youth Service Day and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.


LEAD - A Get HandsOn! Summit
HandsOn Network and the University of Phoenix are convening LEAD to join the most creative thinkers and explore how individuals are using social media tools and other innovative strategies to change the landscape of service. Social innovators will share interesting experiences such as locating disaster victims with cell phones, quickly gathering thousands of volunteers for one-day projects and organizing person-to-person service efforts through Web-based technologies and other tools.
Click here for more information on the summit.


"Inspire… Serve… Solve. A Reception Celebrating National Volunteer Week and the Serve America Act." Co-convened by Points of Light Institute and ServiceNation, the reception will recognize and celebrate extraordinary people who exemplify service as a solution. The 2010 Extra Mile inductee will be announced, and the event will serve as a moment to celebrate the first anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.


ServiceNation Leadership Luncheon. The Luncheon will bring sector leaders together for a discussion about the power of service to address record unemployment and crippling budget cuts, providing our citizens with critical skills and our communities with much-needed capacity at low cost and with no new bureaucracy.


ServiceNation Solution Sessions These sessions will focus on specific areas of opportunities and challenges facing the service field over the next several months.



Lights, Camera, Action... film your own tribute to the one-year anniversary of the Senator Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act! Let us know how service has affected your life and your movie may make its big screen debut during National Volunteer Week this April in Washington D.C. Watch this short video to find out how to submit your tribute.





http://www.nationalservice.gov/Default.asp



National Volunteer Week, April 18 through April 24, 2010




A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Since the founding of our Nation, we have met our greatest challenges through the dedication of countless Americans who have given generously of themselves, asking for nothing in return. The American story is a story of volunteers -- of patriots who fought for our founding ideals, of people who marched for justice, of firefighters who rushed into burning towers, and of ordinary citizens who lifted up struggling communities. All were volunteers, and their work changed our country. This week, we recognize their enduring contributions and encourage more Americans, especially our youth, to join their ranks.

Today's vast challenges require a renewed commitment to service, and Americans are answering that call. From mentoring a student and feeding the homeless, to rebuilding after a natural disaster, volunteers are touching lives every day. Social entrepreneurs are pioneering innovative approaches to community service, and technology is providing us with new ways to connect with one another. Public-private partnerships are also expanding the scope and effectiveness of volunteerism.

My Administration is committed to ushering in a new era of service and responsibility. We launched United We Serve, a nationwide initiative to encourage all Americans to make service a part of their daily lives. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which I signed last year, has expanded and updated programs at the Corporation for National and Community Service, harnessing the energy of millions to meet our most pressing national challenges. We are also investing in social innovation and volunteer management to give community groups the capacity to tackle local concerns.

During National Volunteer Week, we honor the ordinary people who give of themselves to accomplish extraordinary things, and we encourage more Americans to strengthen our country by volunteering. Visit Serve.gov to find volunteer opportunities across America and resources to start your own project. This website highlights volunteer opportunities for Americans of all ages, and I especially hope our young people will be inspired to chart a course of service.

Whether through the workplace or a house of worship, in our own neighborhoods or in another state or country, service binds us together as Americans in a way nothing else can. It defines us as a people, and it is essential to achieving our national priorities. Together, let us answer the call, take hold of our shared future, and meet the challenges of our new century.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 18 through April 24, 2010, as National Volunteer Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week by volunteering in service projects across our country and ledging to make service a part of their daily lives.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Happy START DAY!

Contact your local American Heart Association and ask for a START pin - START walking and by the time of your American Heart Walk you will be ready and all set to walk the walk!




National START! WALKING DAY


You can support the fight against heart disease by participating in National Start! Walking Day on Wednesday, April 7. This is the day that adults nationwide can make the pledge to Start! walking and to become active and heart healthy, especially in the workplace.

Sign up to receive your free, downloadable National Start! Walking Day Tool Kit. This handy kit includes materials to easily promote National Start! Walking Day in your workplace and provides tips on how to make the day a success.

On this special day:

Begin by inviting co-workers to wear their sneakers to work .
Encourage employees to get in their 30 minutes of walking that day.
Change one of your meetings to a walking meeting, and let your colleagues know why.
Start! Shopping for something green to wear. It shows you support the Start! movement.
Host a walk and/or rally to show your commitment to living longer, healthier lives.
Get the word out about your walk by first registering for our free, downloadable National Start! Walking Day Tool Kit. In your confirmation e-mail you'll have access to posters, flyers, e-mail scripts and more to easily promote National Start! Walking Day in your workplace.
Join others across the country and be part of the solution to get America walking.
Get Your Company Involved
Your company can help employees take the first step in becoming more active by participating in National Start! Walking Day.



Why should I participate? Taking just 10 minutes three times a day to walk will help you live longer. In fact, studies show that just one hour of vigorous exercise will increase your life expectancy by two hours. It makes sense to walk more and eat well — to live longer.
Is there a cost to participate?
No, it's free!

Judging Mr. and Miss Lake Mary

What a wonderful group of High School kids this was a great night to see so many talented boys and girls compete for the Titles of Miss Lake Mary and Mr. Lake Mary High School! Thanks to Janet for contacting us to Judge as well as Ms. Patty for having us! WOW is what I can say those kids are the future and let me tell you their on-stage questions and then the top 8 from each Miss and Mr. had to do 90 seconds worth of speeches and let me tell you I do not remember being able to speak like that and be so passionate about what passions I had in life quite like that - hats off too them! However, I wish they all could have won but in the end everyone seemed happy for all - as loud screams came from the contestants as the winners were announced!

Miss Lake Mary - Allison

Mr. Lake Mary - Brent

Congrats!

Cheerios

Every Box can Help a Heart!

Buy your BOX now

Just follow These Simple Steps:

1. Find the code on the inside top flap of this box

2. Enter your code online at CheeriosHelpingHearts.com

3. For every code entered, Cheerios will donate $1.00 toward cholesterol screening for women in need, up to $200,000.



http://www.cheerioshelpinghearts.com/promotions/helpinghearts/helpinghearts_home.aspx?WT.mc_id=HelpingHearts#/home

Until recently, heart healthy eating goals focused on avoiding or restricting certain foods. However, the revised American Heart Association guidelines, released in 2000, focus on foods we should eat rather than foods we should avoid. All foods can fit into a healthy eating pattern if they are eaten in moderate amounts, and balanced by lower-fat or lower-calorie options.


Whole grain
How is a whole grain different from a refined grain? Get the real facts on whole grain, including why it's important to your health.

Featured content:
>What is whole grain?
>Why is it important?
>How much do you need?
>Where can you find it?

How oats lower cholesterol
Oats are the only major cereal grain proven to lower cholesterol.
Soluble fiber
Eating foods that contain soluble fiber can help you lower your cholesterol. Get tips on ways to increase the amount of soluble fiber in your diet.

Featured content:
>What is soluble fiber?
>Why is it important?
>Where can you find it?

Heart healthy eating plan
A heart healthy eating plan is vital to lowering your cholesterol and helping you maintain a healthier body weight.

Featured content:
>Heart healthy meal tips
>Lowering fats
>Pyramid power


http://www.womenheart.org/register/

Heart Healthy Action Kit
The kit contains helpful information including:

How the heart works

6 steps to a healthy heart

Questions to ask your doctor

Know your heart attack warning signs

Cholesterol Screening Locator

8 easy steps to get more physically active

BMI assessment calculator

Disparities in care video narrated by Soledad O'Brien of CNN



http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/educational/hearttruth/

Celebrate American Heart Month with The Heart Truth®!

Beginning with National Wear Red Day®—Friday, February 5, 2010—millions will help spread the critical message that "Heart Disease Doesn't Care What You Wear—It's the #1 Killer of Women.®" The Red Dress®, the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness, was created by The Heart Truth® in 2002 to deliver an urgent wakeup call to American women. Everyone can participate in the national movement by wearing their favorite red dress, shirt, tie, or Red Dress Pin. For free information and resources to help you and your community celebrate National Wear Red Day, visit the National Wear Red Day toolkit.

On Thursday, February 11, 2010, The Heart Truth will bring the Red Dress to life once again on the runway at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with the debut of the Red Dress Collection 2010. This spectacular event reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action. For the second year in a row, a selection of the designer dresses seen on the runway will be auctioned online in February through a partnership with Clothes Off Our Back. To bid on these Red Dresses this February, visit www.clothesoffourback.org.

Get Involved today: visit the Healthy Action Community, where you can find free tools and resources to help you protect your heart health and share The Heart Truth with others. Be sure to let others know about your event by submitting details to the Activity Registry.

Outback Steakhouse

Thanks for giving

Check out the Red, White & Bloomin' Menu -http://www.outback.com/companyinfo/thanksforgiving.aspx


Outback employee volunteers have traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Kuwait and aboard naval vessels to serve a taste of home, including steaks and Bloomin' Onions, to over 150,000 deployed men and women during Operation Feeding Freedom.

This year, we're increasing our efforts in support of the troops and their families.

And now we invite you to join us. Order off our limited time Red, White and Bloomin' menu in the month of March and help us donate $1 Million to Operation Homefront.



Order off our limited time Red,White and Bloomin' menu in the month of March and help us donate $1,000,000 to Operation Homefront. Select from our two new steak and shrimp combinations: the Outback Special® or the Victoria's Filet® & your choice of shrimp (Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie, Gold Coast Coconut Shrimp, or Shrimp Scampi) as well as many of our signature items.



Operation Homefront provides assistance for our troops, their families, and wounded warriors when they return home.




In the fall of 2009, volunteers of Operation Feeding Freedom VII, sponsored by OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC (OSI), returned from their trip to the Middle East. A total of 29 volunteers carried out OSI's mission to bring U.S. and coalition soldiers a taste of home from its restaurant brands in America – Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine.

The first launch of Operation Feeding Freedom began with a team of Outbackers who traveled to Afghanistan in 2002 to feed troops stationed there. Since that trip, over 100 members of the OSI team have made another six trips serving troops in Djibouti, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and aboard the USS Nimitz in Bahrain. Overall, 137,000 troops have been served at numerous forward command locations.


This effort would not have been possible without the support and contributions of OSI Restaurant Partners' purveyors and vendors. Through their generosity, the menu featured signature dishes such as the Outback Bloomin' Onion, Bonefish Bang Bang Shrimp, and Fleming's Calamari. Also served were thick and juicy steaks, potatoes, Carrabba's signature pastas, Bonefish Longfin Tilapia with Lobster Thermidor Sauce and Roy's Beef Short Ribs.

Outback is very fortunate and proud to be able to serve our troops in this way. It is an honor knowing that we have brought a smile and boosted morale by providing a taste of home to the brave men and women that are representing our country overseas.

Stein Mart

Give & Receive Event, Thursday through Saturday



Spring Fashions

JACKSONVILLE, FL...Stein Mart has partnered with the Salvation Army for the second consecutive year for the national Give & Receive event. In a year that has brought financial challenges to many Americans, this event affords shoppers a way to give much-needed clothing to support those affected and receive great savings on new spring fashions.

Customers are encouraged to bring clean, gently used garments in good condition to any Stein Mart store during the Give & Receive event, March 5-7. For each item donated, contributors will receive a coupon for 20% off any item.* Donated apparel will help replenish The Salvation Army's Thrift and Family Stores, many of which have reported as much as a 20-percent decrease in donations over the past year. Last year, Stein Mart customers donated more than 400,000 pieces of clothing for The Salvation Army Thrift and Family Stores during the Give & Receive event. All proceeds from the Thrift and Family Stores directly support The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where over 340,000 men and women turned their lives around in 2008. Tax receipts are available for donations.

"During these difficult economic times, the services that The Salvation Army provides our communities have never been more important," said Stein Mart chairman Jay Stein. "It's rewarding to see our loyal customers join us in our efforts to support this valued organization during a time of need."

"The economic downturn has meant that people are keeping their gently used items longer so we are seeing fewer donations to our thrift and family stores," said Major George Hood, The Salvation Army's national community relations and development secretary. "This means that we have fewer goods to sell and therefore less funding for our life-changing programs. Stein Mart's support, and that of their shoppers, is vital to our service."

For more information about The Salvation Army, please visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

For more information on Stein Mart or to find your nearest location, please visit www.steinmart.com.

Mr. St. John's County Day School Pageant

This event was held in St. John's County at the Performing Arts Center at the Day School. Mr. St. Johns County Saturday 02/27/10 at 7pm.

All funds for the pageant for the past five years have supported - The American Cancer Society for the St. John's Relay for Life

That night they raised $1500.00 with over $22,000.00 over the past five years!

Congrats to Jess Wilensky for making the top five as 2nd runner up! We all had a great time supporting and cheering him onto VICTORY! They all competed in Opening Number, Causal Wear, Talent and Top Five had a on-stage Q & A session! Jess performed Evolution of Dance it was great! The whole night everyone was cheering and laughing as we never did know what was coming next! What a great time and wonderful show!

Thanks for the invite and the support going to such a great cause!


Invite to Join us at our Relay for Life Walk 4/23/2010 6:00:00 PM 221 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville, FL http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=21233


For more information visit http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/