2006 Fall Fundraiser
Great Taste and Cool Jewels
Sunday, Nov. 12 - Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006
to benefit Mental Health Wellness in Our Community
Overview of Beneficiaries ProjectsCooper University Hospital
The Dr. Diane Barton Complementary Medicine Program uses non-traditional therapies to support conventional cancer treatment. When carried out by Cooper physicians, complementary therapies can often reduce the pain and anxiety associated with cancer. For cancer patients, mind-body practices can help them by reducing stress, improve their mood which lowers anxiety and depression, and enhances overall health. The Complementary Medicine Program at Cooper is open to anyone touched by cancer. This includes the families and caregivers of cancer patients-whether or not they were treated by CINJ at Cooper.
Kennedy Health System
Kennedy Health System will designate their proceeds to S.C.O.P.E, “Schools and Community Organized for Parent Education”. As this school year begins, SCOPE is excited with the start of two planned evening workshops by Matt Bellace, Ph.D, Youth Speaker and Comedian and Dr. Anthony Wolf.
Dr. Bellace will be speaking on Wednesday, October 5, 2006 on "Power of Choice: How to Support Your Teens in Making Positive Choices".
Dr. Wolf will be in Cherry Hill on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 to address the community on "Secret of Parenting, How to be in Charge of Today's Kids--From Toddlers to Preteen--without Threats or Punishments." SCOPE is looking forward to an exciting start this year. Our goal is to provide our community with additional resources in helping our children with the issues that face them and their parents in today's world.Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center
The broad and long-term objectives for Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center’s Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) “Safe Sleeping” Initiative are to educate, a minimum of 1,500 and up to 2,000, mothers and their families on the importance of safe sleeping and how to prevent death from SIDS. It is our goal to implement this initiative and incorporate “safe sleeping” and the Sleep Sacks into our overall patient education and discharge plans. This initiative is an innovative way to illustrate the importance of SIDS prevention to new parents and the premise of the program is to not just tell parents about how to reduce the risks of SIDS, but more importantly, to show them how reduce the risk of SIDS. Funds raised will be used to purchase "sleep sacks" for all infants born at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center for use during and after their hospital stay. The SleepSackTM wearable blanket is worn over pajamas or a t-shirt to take the place of loose blankets, and is the first product to be recommended by the First Candle/SIDS Alliance. The SleepSackTM wearable blanket also carries an embroidered reminder for parents and caregivers to put babies to sleep on their backs, another way to help reduce the risk of SIDS. Recent warnings from the American Academy of Pediatrics, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Institute for Health and Human Development caution against the use of loose bedding, as it can be a hazard if infants cover their nose or mouth and create a situation where they can re-breathe their own carbon dioxide. “Sleep sacks" reduce risks of rebreathing, which has been associated as a cause of sudden infant death syndrome.
Child Abuse Research Education and Services (CARES) Institute-UMDNJ-SOM
The Child Abuse Research Education and Services (CARES) Institute provides evidence-based mental health and medical services to children who have suffered sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect. The funding from this event will help to ensure that children who have suffered abuse will have access to our individual and/or group therapy services by providing local needy families with transportation assistance and additional support services. This nationally-recognized therapy program helps children overcome the anxiety, depression and behavioral difficulties often associated with abuse, as well as develop and improve coping and body safety skills.
The Mental Health Association in Southwestern New Jersey
The MHASWNJ Children’s Initiative continues to be the focus of the agency’s community education efforts for the upcoming year. We will once again be promoting the importance in the local media of identifying and treating mental illnesses in youth; offering the series of fall and winter workshops for parents, educators and mental health providers; presenting the “Being There” program in 95 high school and college classes; as well as hosting a spring symposium on “Raising Emotionally Fit Children in Today’s World”. Proceeds which the MHASWNJ receives from the Fall FUNdraiser will be used to help underwrite the expenses of the spring symposium.
Underwood-Memorial HospitalThe Children’s Behavioral Health Program will be the beneficiary of this event. This out patient program serves children 5-12 years old who have serious emotional and behavioral problems and provides support and education to the families of children in crisis. These resources will enable us to further the educational and outreach services to children and families.
Virtua HealthVirtua Health and Rehabilitation Center is a Long Term Care Facility with a 52 bed unit that is designated for the care of dementia patients. The unit has a courtyard in the center of the building which has been selected to become a therapeutic Alzheimer's Garden for the patients and families to enjoy. The point of this garden is not only to provide beauty but to also stimulate the senses of the residents. Virtua Health and Rehab Center offers a home away from home for long term care residents. Thanks to last year's proceeds and the labor of some dedicated Virtua employees, the facility's enclosed courtyard was transformed from an empty, barren space into a soothing and stimulating environment for the residents. Flowers, herbs and shrubbery planted last year now release wonderful scents and display vibrant colors to afford residents positive stimulation, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. With continued support of the McNelis and Sherry Fall Fundraiser, the Rehab Center will be able to purchase enhancements that stimulate the senses such as fountains and wind chimes. They will also be able to acquire outside furniture for the residents and their families.