April Meeting--4/27/11

The April meeting of Heartworks of Long Valley is quickly approaching.  If you've never been to Heartworks:  You've got to stop by and see what it is all about!  We're meeting WEDNESDAY, April 27th at 7pm...email me for the location.

We are a group of women who find unique, personal ways to reach out to those around us going through hardship due to death, illness, accident or natural disaster.  You know the feeling you get when you read in the paper or hear through a friend about something traumatic?  "Gosh, that's awful!",  you think.  Then, "But what could I do to help?"  and finally, "Nothing, without feeling like a stalker!"

Heartworks provides an avenue for those open to giving and receiving to contribute to something bigger.  Our efforts are focused and the gift ends up being larger than the sum of all the parts.  Most times when we give a gift, someone in Heartworks knows the individual or family and can guide us as to what would be useful.  For instance, Heartworks member "Stacy" has a friend who just found out she has cervical cancer.  The friend is a mother of two.  Stacy advised the group that her friend's greatest love outside of her family is classical music.  Heartworks decides that we'll give the friend several CD's of classical music, an angel statue, along with a Pillow Pet for each of the young children.  In this example, we may have a sign up sheet for 3 people to get a CD, someone else for the statue and another for the Pillow Pets.

Now when you hear of that traumatic event, Heartworks provides a way for you to become involved, thereby increasing your connection with those around you.  Spiritually it is good to move toward those experiencing loss.  We are not a religious organization, but we have a sense of connection to a Higher Power as we bring hope to those around us.  We aren't striving to remove someone from their situation (find them a job, pay their medical bills, research the best neurosurgeon for their child or locate housing for them.) but we do shine a light during dark times.  We are a sign of faith and hope.

In the coming blogs, I'll tell more about opportunities and the ways Heartworks responds.  Spread the word...tell everyone about Heartworks.  You never know when someone may be open to joining us!  Please comment on this post if you would like more info and/or would like to attend a meeting.