Month-long campaign promotes heart, health and happiness
The Hollister Downtown Association, the local YMCA and Hazel
Hawkins Memorial Hospital have organized a month of events and
sales promotions to increase awareness of heart disease during the
month of February.
”
We wanted to put together an event for February,
”
said Brenda Weatherly, the executive director of the HDA.
”
We started looking at the different things happening
nationally.
”
Month-long campaign promotes heart, health and happiness
The Hollister Downtown Association, the local YMCA and Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital have organized a month of events and sales promotions to increase awareness of heart disease during the month of February.
“We wanted to put together an event for February,” said Brenda Weatherly, the executive director of the HDA. “We started looking at the different things happening nationally.”
February has long been associated with raising awareness of heart disease, a condition that is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Hollister Get Red month of events kicked off Feb. 1 with a Health Seekers Workshop hosted by the YMCA and sponsored by the San Benito County Health Foundation. Registered dietician Nina Ghamrawi shared information on healthy eating habits since the best way to prevent heart disease is through diet and exercise.
The activities will continue throughout the month, with events such as lectures on healthy eating, story time and craft events at the San Benito County Free Library, and weekly community walks around downtown.
In addition, many downtown businesses will offer a discount to residents for the month.
“We are trying to create a reason to come downtown with sales,” Weatherly said. “We are asking restaurants to offer healthy menu items. There are walks and blood pressure check ups. We just want to deal with the whole person – heart, health and happiness – all those things.”
Weatherly said Deborah Wood, of Drapoel-Teezerzs helped with planning the downtown promotions.
“For the most part everyone wanted to participate,” Weatherly said. “It was just a matter of figuring out what they could do.”
Many of the offers and activities are listed on a flier that is being distributed by the businesses and agencies involved, but more dates and times may be added. And the HDA website, www.downtownhollister.org, will have updated information.
“The reason why we are doing it is two parts,” said Rochelle Callis, the vice president of the Northern Region, Central Coast YMCA. “It will help with awareness of heart health and is right in line with the YMCA. The other is to help our downtown become healthier. We support all our downtown businesses and want to get people involved.”
The YMCA will host a lecture with Dr. Klapper, a cardiologist, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m., on how to have a healthy heart at any age. The Health Seekers Workshop is sponsored by Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. In addition, Kristie Agan, the regional program director, will lead a weekly walk Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., meeting at the Veterans Memorial Building plaza. California Mutual Insurance will coordinate a walk Thursdays, from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m., also meeting in front of the same spot.
“It is part of our mission to be socially responsible so the more we can connect with different organizations and businesses – we can be at more places and better find out the needs in our community – the better we can serve,” Callis said.
Callis said if there is interest in an ongoing weekly walk from the community, “we’d be happy to continue it.”
“I just think it is great to see the HDA put together such a great event for the community, not just to support the business community but to support the community’s health and wellness,” Callis said.
Weekly events and promotions:
Sundays – San Benito County Historical Society, Valentine’s Day from Our Past, free, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesdays – San Benito County Free Library, Healthy Hearts story time, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesdays – YMCA of San Benito County, Walk for Your Health, meets at the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (cancelled if it rains.)
Thursdays – Penny Wise Drug, Blood pressure check up sponsored by Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
California Mutual Insurance, Walk for Your Health, meets at the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza, 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. (cancelled if it rains.)
Fridays – Drapoel-Teezerz – $25 gift card, free, good with purchases of more than $75 (one per customer)
Saturdays – Drapoel-Teezerz, drawing for special prizes
Special Events:
Feb. 4 – The Knife and Fork Cafe, Fashion Show (with paid lunch), noon to 1 p.m.
National Wear Red Day – wear red to raise awareness of heart disease in women
Feb. 10 – Mars Hill Coffeehouse, Eating for a Healthier Heart, presented by Cheryl Wenzlik, noon to 12:30 p.m.
San Benito County Free Library, Chinese Love Character, craft project, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Feb. 12 – American Red Cross, CPR classes (General public), $70, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Feb. 15 – YMCA of San Benito County, Have a Healthy Heart at Any Age, featuring Dr. Klapper, cardiologist, at 7 p.m.
Feb. 16 – Edward Jones Investments, Making Sense of Retirement, at the YMCA, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., reservations required and lunch included (634-0694)
Feb. 19 – San Benito County Historical Society, Historic Walking Tour, $5, reservations required, starts at 9 a.m. (524-2292)
Feb. 24 – San Benito County Free Library, Real Healthy Hearts, craft project, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Feb. 26 – American Red Cross, CPR classes (professionals), $85, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (636-2100)
Promotions and displays:
McKinnon Lumber – 10 percent off any in-stock item with red packaging
B&R Farms – Free heart-healthy recipes, raffle for dried Blenheim apricots
Timber and Textiles – 25 percent off all furniture
Hollister Free Lance – 50 percent off home-delivered subscriptions
Drapoel-Teezerz – 28 percent off selected items
Muenzer’s – 15 percent off all in-stock running shoes
Citifinancial – window display
Serene Home – 20 percent off anything red
Penny Wise Drug – 10 percent off select nutritional supplements for cardio and vascular health
West Coast Music and Dance FX – free trial dance or music class with the Downtown Club Card
San Benito County Free Library – Healthy Hearts book display
Tiffany Motor Company – Complete brake service for $179.95 or The Works (oil change, brake inspection, tire rotation and omore) for $39.95
Blak Sage Gallery – Live Quick Essence Portraits, Feb. 12-28.
Gavilan College – Table display
Heart disease can lead to heart attacks. Below are some of the signs of heart attack, from the CDC website. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
– Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
– Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
– Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
– Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
