Make Sure Your Kids are in #TheRightSeat #STORKS

August 5, 2016 by 2 Comments

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Did you know that every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States? Car seats, if used correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury. But over half of car seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness and 1 in 3 children killed in car crashes are completely unrestrained at the time of the crash.*

The Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) want you to know about Child Passenger Safety. They hope to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives.

This summer, the Ad Council and NHTSA have unveiled new PSAs featuring characters from Warner Bros.’ upcoming animated adventure Storks. By using the tagline, “Find the Right Seat For Your Flock,” the PSAs urge parents and caregivers to protect their child’s future, by making sure they secure them in the right car seat for their age and size. The English language PSAs direct to SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat and the Spanish ads direct to SaferCar.gov/Protegidos where parents and caregivers can find more information on how to determine if their child is in the right car seat.

The campaign features footage and characters from Storks, which delivers a fresh and funny look at the legend associated with storks delivering babies.

Will you help us spread awareness about the importance of having “the right seat” and “the right fit”?  Here are a few simple ways you can help:

  • “Is Your Child In The Right Seat?”
  • Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat

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  • How confident are you that your child’s car seat or booster is #therightseat? Enough to stake their lives on it? Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old.
  • Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit Safercar.gov/TheRightSeat and make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.
  • To locate a Certified Child Passenger Safety technician in your area, go to SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat or download the free SaferCar app from the iTunes App Store.
  • Register your car seat and booster seat at SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat so you will be informed if there is a safety recall on your model.
Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, safety Tagged With:

Join the Movement and #ShopWithYourHeart With the ASPCA

July 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment

The ASPCA has launched an exciting new initiative to improve the lives of farm animals called Shop With Your Heart.

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As you may already know, most of the nearly 9 billion animals raised for meat, milk and eggs in the US are suffering in inhumane factory farms. And animals are not the only affected, as factory farms impact human health—they can be breeding grounds for dangerous pathogens and the antibiotics used to prevent disease create the potential for dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria to develop. To fully harness the power of our collective purchases and demand better lives for farm animals, the Shop With Your Heart initiative gives consumers the resources to recognize, locate and demand meaningfully welfare-certified meat, eggs and dairy products as well as plant-based alternatives.

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Here are a few ways you can get involved:

  •  Use the Shop With Your Heart Grocery List, including welfare-certified and widely available plant-based brands.
  • Post a photo of yourself on your social media channels making the “heart hands” to show solidarity with the movement with sample language like:  “Join the movement with me and pledge to #ShopWithYourHeart! aspca.org/ShopWithYourHeart @ASPCA.”

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Filed Under: animals, charity/notforprofit Tagged With: , ,

Join #ForestChat with @DiscoverForest

June 9, 2016 by 1 Comment

When you were a kid it was easy to spend time in nature. Today it can seem hard to break free and get out there to share that same experience with your kids. But it’s worth it — and nature is closer than you think.

The US Forest Service’s campaign “Discover the Forest” wants to encourage you to enjoy the great outdoors on National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 11th and all summer long.

National Get Outdoors Day will include a series of events offering traditional and nontraditional outdoor activities across the nation. Events may include special guests like Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl and free admissions to our national forests so families can experience activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and archery.

The Discover the Forest Campaign aims to encourage parents and caregivers to take their families out to the forest to experience and re-connect with nature and also engender a love for nature in kids by fostering a connection with urban and national forests, ultimately creating a lifelong interest and a legacy of stewardship through first-hand experience.

  1. Join #ForestChat with @DiscoverForest on Friday, June 10th at 1pm ET to spread the word about National Get Outdoors Day, using #ForestFriday and #DiscovertheForest.
  1. Participate in our Discover the Forest Photo Scavenger Hunt. Starting Saturday, June 11th and running for several weeks, Discover the Forest will post a creative photo of the forest and ask followers to replicate the photo with their family and participate using #Getoutdoors16. Promote on your social channels by posting the attached social graphics and even participate yourself!
  1. Participate in #ForestFotog on Instagram: Share your beautiful forest photos and nature quotes on social media. If you share with the hashtag #ForestFotog, we will share your content with our communities as well.

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Nature is closer than you think. Every neighborhood has a #Naturehood. To find a neighborhood park or green space near you, visit DiscoverTheForest.org. These “naturehoods” are just a short-drive away, making it easy for families to unplug from the daily routine and reconnect with nature.

Populations have shifted away from rural settings to metropolitan areas, with over 80% of Americans living in cities, and with fewer connections than ever to natural areas. The campaign highlighted that urban forests offer many of the same benefits as national forests, but they’re right in the neighborhood. Beyond the swings, slides and clearings, there are trails, trees, wildlife and water just waiting for the urban dweller.

Research has shown that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future. According to campaign research done by Euro RSCG, 88 percent of children today say they like being in nature, and 79 percent wish they could spend more time there.

DiscoverTheForest.org features an interactive map tool that enables users to search for nearby forests and parks, and filter by zip code and desired activities. Free outdoor activities are also available for download and printing, which you can take the next time you visit.

ABOUT DISCOVER THE FOREST:

Discover the Forest is a public service campaign created by the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council with the primary goal of inspiring kids and their parents to re-connect with nature. The campaign brings to life the joy and excitement kids have when they discover the wonders of nature, helping create lasting memories, interest in their environment and a lifelong relationship with it. The campaign website, www.DiscoverTheForest.org, includes an interactive tool that enables users to search for nearby forests and parks, as well as downloadable activities for them to print and take with them when they visit. The campaign also features online communities on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

https://www.pinterest.com/discoverforest/

https://www.instagram.com/discovertheforest/

https://twitter.com/discoverforest

https://www.facebook.com/discovertheforest

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit Tagged With:

Kohl’s Cares for Kids

June 3, 2016 by 2 Comments

 

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As many of your know, shopping with children in tow can be interesting/taxing/mind boggling-ly difficult.  To help with this predicament, Kohls has a two prong answer- Kohls Cares.  This program has low cost plush and books of popular book titles, and all the proceeds from the net profit of the items are donated to kids’ health and education initiatives nationwide.  This means your little one gets a new toy, your wallet gets so stay a little heavier, AND you get to help children in need across the country.

The items available are always changing and are of the utmost quality.  You can give a gift that gives back with children’s books and soft toys from the Kohl’s Cares® summer collection. The pieces are priced at just $5 each, with 100 percent of the net profit supporting children’s health initiatives nationwide.

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The summer collection of Kohl’s Cares books and plush is available now through June 26 at Kohl’s Stores nationwide and online at Kohls.com and includes:

  • Penguin on Vacation book, Penguin’s Big Adventure book and penguin soft toy
  • Board Book Set and clownfish soft toy
  • Found book and bear soft toy
  • Stormy Night book and dinosaur soft toy

To date, Kohl‘s has raised nearly $300 million through the Kohl’s Cares merchandise program. To reinforce the company’s commitment to children’s health, Kohl’s has donated financial support to hospitals across the country. The donations fund hospital outreach programs focused on children’s health initiatives and address the specific issues needed most in each hospital’s community. These tailored programs provide vital resources to families at no cost and include topics such as injury prevention, asthma awareness, dental care, and fitness. A complete list of hospital partners is available online.

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These toys make great gifts as well in a pinch where you just have no idea what to get for a little one in your life.  They are also just fun to bring home for your child who enjoys plush toys.  The only issue with The Kohls Cares program is, it can be difficult to say no to your little one when they ask for one of them.  I know I never can, and we now have a giant collection of them. It’s hard to say no to a cute face asking for a cute plush or book, when you know the proceeds go to a good cause- AND it’s inexpensive. What can you do?  It’s one time in your life you don’t have to just say no.

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, kids, review, toys Tagged With: ,

May is American Stroke Month #StrokeChat @American_Stroke

May 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Did you know that someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds? That’s someone every 40 seconds.

As you may know, May is American Stroke Month, so we’re working with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and the Ad Council to raise awareness about Stroke knowledge, prevention, and what to do in an emergency. Here’s why this work matters.

  • Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of disability – 80 percent of strokes are preventable!
  • Only 9% of us can identify all the letters in the F.A.S.T. acronym for stroke.
  • When you recognize a stroke and immediately call 9-1-1, the person has a greater chance of getting to an appropriate hospital quickly and being assessed for treatment options like a clot-busting drug or clot-removing device.

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Here’s How You Can Help:
Join the #StrokeChat hosted by @American_Stroke on 5/18 at 12pm CDT. Stroke experts will join from local AHA/ASA handles coast to coast and we’ll have an engaging conversation about superpowers, the face of stroke, what’s in the news, and give away some swag from NBA All Star Paul George and ALEX AND ANI who just debuted a new bangle honoring stroke survivors Questions are available in advance upon request.

Take the #StrokeHero Quiz:  You don’t need superpowers to be a Stroke Hero. You can be a Stroke Hero by knowing F.A.S.T, the warning signs of stroke, so you’re ready to take action.  Share the resources (StrokeAssociation.org/StrokeHero) and the fun (and short) quiz (http://strokeheroquiz.org/) in a blog post or via social media. Be sure to share your result!

Help Prevent Strokes:  80% of Strokes are preventable. Controlling your blood pressure is a great place to start.

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Facts about Strokes:

  • Someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds.
  • In the U.S. stroke is the No. 5 cause of death overall, killing nearly 130,000 people a year.
  • Stroke is the No. 1 preventable cause of long-term disability.
  • About 800,000 people have a stroke every year.

How to spot a stroke F.A.S.T. (the warning signs):

  • F – Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
  • A – Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • S – Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence like: “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
  • T- Time to call 9-1-1 – If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

www.StrokeAssociation.org/warningsigns

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit Tagged With:

What Would You Do? When Faced With Impossible Choices #ShareHumanity

May 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment

We’re in the midst of the largest global humanitarian crisis of our lifetime – 125 million are in desperate need of humanitarian aid and protection, more than 40,000 people are forced from their homes every day (roughly 29 per minute!) and more than 90% of people killed or injured by explosive weapons are innocent civilians. The facts are staggering and the stakes are high.

The choices these people, just like you and I, have to make are impossible.  What would any of us do if faced with these decisions?

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You can get a small idea of what life for many is like- check out the new site https://impossiblechoices.org/ and see the kinds of choices people have to make, often times life or death.  What would you do?

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit

Is Your Child in the Right Car Seat? #therightseat

April 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment

CAR SEAT SAFETY
Did you know that every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States? That probably isn’t the first thing you think about when you are hauling your kids to school, the grocery store, or anywhere else around town. And really, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not your child is safely snuggled into the right car seat every time you get in the car. Instead, make sure your child is in the right seat from the get-go.
Safety seats, if used correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury. But over half of car seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness and 1 in 3 children killed in car crashes were completely unrestrained at the time of the crash. Just the thought of that is devastating. So why not select the right car seat from the start?

And just because you THINK you know you have the right car seat, think again. Wouldn’t it just be best to know, without a doubt, that your child is in the right seat?
Unfortunately, there are so many parents out there who are not educated on the ins and outs of car seat safety. It is so important that we get the word out and educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives.
CAR SEAT SAFETY
Don’t wait until it is too late. Check out http://www.safercar.gov/parents/CarSeats/Car-Seat-Safety.htm to make sure you have the right seat buckled in the right way.

Car Seat Safety Tips:

  • Find a car seat that fits your child. As children grow, how they fit in their car seat will change. Make sure the car seat you purchase is designed to fit your child’s current size and age.
  • Not all car seats fit in all vehicles so test the car seat you plan to buy to make sure it fits correctly in your vehicle.
  • Before installing your car seat in your vehicle and putting your child in the car seat, read the manufacturer’s instructions so you know how your car seat works.
  • All-in-One car seats offer you the advantage of using the same seat for the following positions: rear-facing, forward-facing with harness, then booster. These seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

Make it your priority to make sure your child or a child you love is safe when they are buckled in.

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, safety

March 22nd is American Diabetes Association Alert Day #prediabetes

March 16, 2016 by Leave a Comment

86 million American adults (more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes and are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a serious health condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Surprisingly, nearly 90% of those with prediabetes don’t even know that they have it. But prediabetes can be reversed through weight loss, diet changes and increased physical activity, and the first step to reversing the condition is to evaluate one’s personal risk so that they can take action as soon as possible.

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That’s why the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have partnered with the Ad Council to launch the first national public service advertising campaign about prediabetes, encouraging people to learn their risk by taking a short online test at the campaign site, which also features information on prediabetes as well as lifestyle programs and tips to help people reverse their risk.

You can visit DoIHavePrediabetes.org for a short online test that will help you learn your risk for prediabetes.  Learn things like;

  • The answers to these 7 simple questions can tell you if you’re likely to have prediabetes.
  • Already slipping on your resolutions? Here are some tips to stick with healthy change.
  • What you need to know about prediabetes – and how it can be reversed.
  • Telenovela star joins new prediabetes PSA campaign [and others for Hispanic audiences].
  • Have prediabetes? If you do, you probably don’t know it yet. Here’s how you can find out.
  • Think you’re too busy for type 2 diabetes? I thought so too. 

For more information about the campaign visit DoIHavePrediabetes.org or Adcouncil.org. You can find out more about prediabetes and the organizations’ efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes at: ADA, AMA,  CDC.

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, health