This week is a big one for doing and feeling good.
Today starts National Volunteer Week. You can find tons of volunteer opportunities on our website and Facebook pages. Volunteering reduces stress and increases satisfaction levels.
Tomorrow is Earth Day and Friday is Arbor Day. Mother Earth has been kind to us, so let's return the favor.
Thursday is Pay it Forward Day, so do something nice for a stranger. There are endless ways you can bring on a smile and increase serotonin levels for both the recipient and yourself.
Have you heard of Nurse-Family Partnership, a nurse home visiting program for first time parents in Schuylkill County? Operated since 2003, the program serves more than 100 families throughout the county with a staff of three nurses, one nursing supervisor and an office manager. From visiting new moms to organizing donations to planning events for clients, the five Nurse-Family Partnership staff members are always on the go.
The goals of the Nurse-Family Partnership are simple: healthy pregnancies, healthy babies and healthy, self-sustaining families. If a first-time mother is interested in services, a Nurse-Family Partnership nurse will visit her in her home and enroll her in the program. During the pregnancy, the nurse will educate the new mom about how to have a healthy pregnancy and how to prepare for the coming baby. After the baby is born, the nurse will help the family with any issues or questions they might have about health, wellness and parenting.
The enthusiastic nurses wear many hats - health care professional, mentor, community resource and coach. When the mom's child turns two years old, the family graduates from the program, hopefully ready for the challenges that parenting - and life - will throw at them.
Thank you, Nurse-Family Partnership, for all your support to not only young and first-time mothers during one of their most challenging experiences, but also to the next generation of babies, and for helping to ensure that they start out with the best tools they can have.
Blood drives
There are several blood drives this week. Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue Company will host one Tuesday, Mahantongo Fire Company in Valley View will also host one Tuesday, Rest Haven Nursing Home on Wednesday, the Masonic Lodge in Orwigsburg on Thursday, and the Keystone Volunteer Fire Company in McAdoo on April 30. Anyone who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in general good health is encouraged to donate.
MDA benefit
Schaeffer's Harley-Davidson in Orwigsburg invites you to the MDA Block Party on Saturday. The day of fun starts with a 10 a.m. opening ceremony and flag raising, followed by kids and carnival games, food vendors, raffles, jump house, live entertainment, Chinese auctions, a tattoo contest, Cooking with Casey cookbook signing, motorcycle boot camp and a wedding vow renewal contest. Proceeds benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Plant trees
Calling all volunteers: In an effort to reclaim mine land, the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative and the Schuylkill Headwaters Association are holding a tree planting on April 26 at the Mountaintop Coal Mining Operation near the Schuylkill County Airport, where they will be planting 2,000 seedlings. The project starts at 9 a.m., with an orientation on how to plant, and will end at 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided. RSVP by calling Sierra at 622-3742.
For information about volunteer opportunities, call Community Volunteers in Action at 628-1426, e-mail jjohnston@co,.schuylkill.pa.us or go to www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Community-Volunteers-in-Action.
Office volunteer
Times: Flexible
Responsibility: Help with typical office tasks.
Skills: Reliable, trustworthy, good communication skills.
Location: Birthright of Frackville, Inc.
Contact: 874-2621