When To Do It? Building Block #4—Setting a Date

Consider holding your community activity around a national health observance. Many health organizations, teachers, and community groups use a special day, month, or occasion to tell people about health risks, how to prevent disease, and to promote health events.

Use the list below to help you decide when to have your community event. Or refer to www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp for more information on the special days, weeks, and months listed. Many of the groups that sponsor these observances also offer free or low-cost materials.

National Health Observances (related to physical activity and healthy eating)

Other national holidays

Events can also be planned around a national holiday such as Mother’s Day. In Omaha, Nebraska, for example, a local Sisters Together group held a Mother’s Day of Wellness, Mind, Body, and Spirit. This health fair offered screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes; a healthy cooking class; and health informatiovn. (See Success Story: Sisters Together—Omaha Chapter below.)

Local events

Another choice is to plan an activity around a local event, such as a neighborhood party, the opening of a new grocery store or restaurant, or a communitywide festival—especially since you may be able to join advertising efforts.

Other considerations

Make sure the date and time you choose do not get in the way of other local events that would stop people from attending your activity. Also think about weather and time of year, especially for outdoor activities.

Success Story: Sisters Together—Omaha Chapter

“My girlfriend’s daughter passed away from diabetes complications. When the doctor first told her she was diabetic, he gave her a prescription for medication, but didn’t give her any more information on how to manage her illness. At that time, I weighed 365 pounds, and I knew that obesity could set off diabetes. Since diabetes already ran in my family, I knew I had to take control of my weight. I learned from my girlfriend’s experience that if I didn’t get a hold of my own health problems, no one else would.

I looked into what I could do to help myself. I cut back on fried and fatty foods, and I really took care of myself. As a result, I have lost 165 pounds, gained a lot of knowledge, and started the Omaha chapter of Sisters Together.

While I was losing weight, someone gave me a book about Sisters Together and how to start healthy living activities in your own town. I knew that no group in my community was doing this, and I had so many ideas—walking groups, healthy cooking displays, and exercise classes. I linked up with two women who were also interested, and we set up the Omaha chapter working from my home.

We held our first big activity in May 2000 with a Mother’s Day of Wellness, Mind, Body, and Spirit health fair. Booths were set up for the groups that attended. The American Diabetes Association, for example, did a healthy cooking class and screened people for diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure at their booth. We had donated materials and created a positive buzz by going to community meetings and talking up our plans. We also had articles in local newspapers; announcements on the Christian radio station; and flyers in the library, banks, beauty shops, and churches. We planned for 100 participants but got 225. This told me that our efforts to get noticed were well worth it! The great turnout also told me that our community needed the program.

Since then, we’ve signed up 195 members and have held other activities. We had a healthy holiday cooking workshop, and a day in the park for the community to meet our participants. At “The Doctor’s In” event at the Urban League Family Resource Center, three doctors answered questions from the public. We also have an exercise group, whose participants have lost 286 pounds and 101 inches this year all together. Our walking group of 45 women has lost 190 pounds and 200 inches all together.

I consider those facts my success story. Hearing that someone was able to lose weight or get off blood pressure medicine or lower his or her blood sugar level is what makes this rewarding for me. I tell everyone that the program is not about me—it is about them and their personal commitment. I can only tell them my story, and hope I can move them to say, ‘If she can do it, I can too.’”

Mary H., 56—Omaha, Nebraska

<<< BACK        ^ TOP        NEXT >>>