The Mended Hearts, Inc.
Hearts of Jersey Chapter #179
Hearts of Jersey Chapter #179
February 2009
By now, I’m sure you have come to realize that February is officially American Heart Month. This is the month that you should pay attention to newspapers and magazines containing articles about heart health.
As a Mended Hearts member you don’t need to be reminded about things like exercise and your diet but let me fill your plate with a few interesting facts about Mended Hearts Inc, the national organization.
Do you know our chapter is one of 256 chapters? There are also 57 satellite chapters across United States and two chapters in Canada. There are 17,830 members and I believe the most important role is visiting patients. In 2007 and there were 212,534 visits to heart patients and families, and that includes in-person, online and by telephone. Want to do yourself a favor? Be a patient visitor.
Included in the information pack I receive from national are some suggested radio announcements.
Try this, first: read the following paragraph to yourself two or three times:
FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH … AND MENDED HEARTS, A NATIONAL AND LOCAL HEART SUPPORT GROUP, REMINDS PATIENTS, THEIR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS IN MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTY THAT WE ARE HERE TO HELP. CALL 732-367-3648
Next, take this script, stand in front of a mirror and read the text out loud. Now all you need is a microphone and recorder. You’re ready to produce your first public service announcement. If you really want to help take it to the next step, call a local radio or Cable TV station and ask them for airtime and production support to produce this PSA (Public Service Announcement). Incidentally, the message is written as a 10 second spot. The TV public access group will be happy to help you. This could be the beginning of a new career.
February is also a slow month. Despite the fact it’s the shortest it sometimes seems the longest. Here are some ideas that you might want to consider as things to do in February since golf and boating are little bit difficult this month. An activity you probably have thought about and kept saying you’re going to do it, now is the time. Start with an old photographic album, the one you use to sometimes entertain grandchildren. You point to pictures of different people and identify them. Now is the time to label them. The future generation may not remember uncle Joe and aunt Mary without your help. If you have an album that was traditional, pictures on black paper, you can buy white pencils for the labeling process. Use a permanent marker in the albums that have plastic covering sheets. The important thing is to identify people, places and things. 50 years from now, it might make a real difference to yet to be born family.
Have you ever thought of writing your life history? No, I’m not suggesting you start a 450-page autobiography. There are things in your life that are interesting to you and should be documented. If you wonder how all this is possible and you’re not a Reader’s Digest subscriber go to a library and get the January 2009 issue of Reader’s Digest and read “The Story of Your Life” on page 142.
As I read it I began to think, “my children have no idea of all the places that I have lived.” I started writing and have completed a list of houses and apartments lived in over my 70 plus years. Each location had a different story that was significant to me. I think in the future my family will read and enjoy it. This list is currently still a work in progress, I have memories of each location and find myself re-editing. I am thankful for spell check, the dictionary works but it’s slower. You could use a typewriter if you’re so inclined or if you’re not a computer user. I am sure your local library would be glad to help. It’s time to reveal your hidden writing skills.
