Volunteer and Become a Part of Community

Yesterday, I spoke about  a wonderful farmer's market.  What happened that afternoon was truly amazing.  I was sitting a the dealership where I volunteer my landscaping abilities, when the organizers of the very same farmer's market came into the shop to ask me if I would be interested in becoming involved with the market.  My efforts to beautify the exterior of the dealership are enjoyed by many, but now, have lentan  to become part of a greater community.  My task will be to contribute ideas (and some physical acitivity) to make their new space visually and interactively the best it can be.  I am quite excited to become involved with the planning of a raw space and I'll do my very best to try to make the 2012 Rock Hill Farmer's Market the nicest market in the lower Catskills.  I'll make new friends, participate in an artistic activity I enjoy, and in the process of sharing, I will enjoy my time well spent.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Volunteer.  It's not only good for you, it's good for everybody.  That 'feel good' feeling when you do a good thing releases endorphins and serotonin in your brain.  You'll feel euphoric, your blood pressure will be lower and both your mental and physical wellbeing will benefit.

Yippee Zippee It's Friday Again!

Last night, a few of my friends donated a couple of hours towards a good cause.  Every year, the O'Toole's Harley Davidson Dealership of Wurtsboro, NY does a Santa Toy Drive and Santa visit to the Head Start Program up here in Sullivan County.  These children really have nothing.  Most show up with their best clothes for their one and only photo with Santa and their one and only Christmas gift.
Every year, my companion and I purchase and wrap 'goodie bags' for these kids (the cost of which comes directly out of his pocket and kindness).  Our friends come to donate their time to help us wrap these goodie bags.  Each child receives crayons, a coloring book, stickers, fake tattoos, a lollipop and some other fun little toys.  It's a wonderful evening...lots of talk and laughter and everyone feels so good about what they're doing.  CEOs of major financial institutions, Executive VPs from the communications industry and my favorite...an interior designer who insists that all the items she places in her goodie bags are color coordinated!  You gotta love it!  Food, drinks and the beginnings of new friendships always happen at my dining room table and all of us walk away feeling like we did something nice.  The nicest surprise of the day:  a dear friend of mine heard about the toy drive and went online to purchase 7 gifts for these kids.  She made sure they would be delivered to my home in time to have them wrapped and ready for the December 5th visit.  What an amazing act of kindness!!

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  it doesn't cost money to volunteer an hour of your time towards a good cause.  There are many homeless shelters, orphanages and nursing homes where people just want to be recognized as being alive.  All it takes is a smile, a hello or an hour to listen to them.  Volunteer for something or someone this season.  You've not only made someone else feel better, but you've just saved lots of money on your own mental health.

Community Service - Give Back and Feel Good

Today,  I'm volunteering my time and talents to the Women At Risk luncheon committee.  It makes me feel good to give something of my Self to others.  The annual fundraising luncheon is May 10th at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan.  What's Women At Risk?
Women At Risk (WAR®) is the breast cancer program of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center whose mission is to enhance the lives of women who are at high risk for the development of breast cancer and women with breast cancer through research, education and support. WAR was founded in 1991 by a grassroots partnership of physicians, patients and volunteers and since then, has been funding and conducting innovative breast cancer research and implementing successful support and education programs in the New York Metropolitan Area.

What does Women At Risk do?
High-Risk Program
WAR recognizes that addressing risk is one of the most effective ways to reduce breast cancer occurrence and mortality. Women enrolled in the high-risk program gain access to long-term monitoring and care as well as high-risk resources and support. They are also enrolled in the WAR Registry Database which offers researchers the opportunity to access data for use in studies concerning breast cancer risk.

How can you get involved?
Attend an Event- Attend the annual symposium, art exhibit or other events.
Volunteer- Help out at the symposium or a free screening day, or volunteer in the office.
Help WAR fund its programs and services
- Register on One Cause (www.onecause.com), Choose “Women At Risk” as your cause, and participating retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Target, Amazon, Dell, and hundreds more will donate a percentage of your purchases to WAR.
- Own a business? Host an “October Promotion” for WAR during Breast-Cancer Awareness Month
- Make a tax-deductible contribution.
Sign up to join the mailing list to receive the latest updates on WAR activities and events!
For more info, visit www.womenatrisknyc.org or www.womenatrisknyc.blogspot.com.
To contact, call (212) 305-9525 or send inquiries to info@womenatrisknyc.org.

This might not be your 'cup of tea', but why not take the initiative and donate some of your time and talent today for a good cause.  Do it because it excites you, not because it is self-serving.  When you give service to others, you 'play it forward'.  Get involved today - you never know if and when YOU might need someone; and wouldn't it be nice if someone was there for you if need be?