What is Heartworks?

February 1, 2011
Welcome to the Heartworks of Long Valley blog!  I'm Jen D. and I love telling people about Heartworks.  We are a nonprofit Acts of Kindness group.  We focus on three key principles:  Receiving with grace, Giving with an open heart and living with Gratitude.  We meet once a month at a member's house and figure out unique, personal ways to reach out to those around us going through difficult times due to illness, trauma, grief or other life circumstance.  Not only do we extend love and light to those in our community, but we nurture ourselves at each meeting too.

How did we start?  Well, Heartworks' founder, Megan McDowell of Bernardsville, lost her brother-in-law, John Farrell, during the tragedy of 9/11.  She witnessed firsthand the kindness of family, friends and total strangers in those difficult weeks and months following John's death.  She wanted to find a way to do something kind for others, as was done for her.  Do you remember the feeling of openness that pervaded our community immediately after 9/11?  You may have had a conversation in the grocery line, or talked to a co-worker whom you didn't really know.  Emotional barriers came down and we opened our hearts.  That is just the experience that Heartworks seeks to inspire for all of us to this day!

Currently there are six chapters of Heartworks on the East Coast, ranging from Florida to Vermont.  Each group works independently to spread light in their part of the world, through gifts of goods, services etc.

Heartworks of Long Valley began in September of 2008.  We have been blessed to have many families allow us into their experience.  It is an honor to be able to share in the smallest way, in the "realness" of a moment with a local family. 

Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about this group.  We are open to woman of all ages and welcome new members.  Afraid of over-committing?  Did you know that almost all the women in the group are mothers, with full- or part-time jobs?  The beauty of Heartworks is that YOU pick and choose when you wish to participate in helping an individual or family.  There are also many non-financial ways to lift someone up too -- signing cards of encouragement, saying a prayer, attending a meeting.

Hope to hear from you!