The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.
-- Comedian George Carlin
It's time for the 2019 Holiday Card Project to benefit Arkansas Children's Hospital. The fundraiser offers a selection of amazing cards drawn by artists ranging in age from 6 to 14. Ellen Hobgood, a gallery owner and professional artist in Heber Springs, will be featured.
There is also a selection of specialty gift items, including an ornament, napkins, gift tags, a coaster, cups and a coin purse.
If you are interested in ordering, go to achaux.mybigcommerce.com where you will find a shopping cart at the top.
The Festival of Stars Toy & Donation Drive and Radiothon will be held Dec. 6. It's Arkansas Children's statewide annual toy and donation drive.
You can donate individually or host a toy collection with your business or organization, then deliver the donations while you enjoy music, cocoa, snacks and special guests throughout the day.
The wish list includes gifts for infants, school-age, teen and adult patients, and includes age-appropriate toys, craft items, health and beauty products, clothing, gift cards and games.
The guidelines are that all toys must be new and in original packaging. They are unable to accept riding toys of any kind. For more information or additional ways to give, go to archildrens.org/wishlists.
Here is a shortcut link to the site with a list of donation drop-off locations: arkansasonline.com/1125donors.
DIABETES RECORD
I started going to a medical clinic last year that caters to low-income people. While in with the woman who schedules appointments, I noticed an orange "Diabetes health card."
Written on it is a blurb that says, "This is a guide to help you keep a record of your diabetes care. Talk to your health care provider about these items." There are spaces to record the results from your visit with the doctor.
The categories include daily blood glucose record, prescribed medication, A1c, blood pressure and weight. It lists a foot exam, which is important, and things like cholesterol, triglycerides, a flu shot, and dental, physical and eye exams.
It also mentions plans for meals, foot care, exercise, illness, stress, tobacco use and complications.
The card says that research has shown keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible can slow the onset and progression of eye, kidney and nerve disease. We must learn to control our diabetes before it takes control of us. This handy dandy card is provided by the cooperative efforts of representatives to the Arkansas Wellness Coalition. I was not familiar with them.
I went online (healthy.arkansas.gov) and found that the coalition includes the Arkansas Department of Health. It's a "voluntary effort of the health care and employer community to improve the health and well being of Arkansas through nationally recognized, peer reviewed, clinical guidelines for physician, consumer and employer education."
The goal is to consolidate efforts to improve quality of care and health outcomes on certain high-cost, high-risk diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.
My main concern, in today's financial climate, is that many people, like those who use a clinic that sees people based on income, can still be at a disadvantage when it comes to their health. It's all fine and good to tell people they need to have all these exams and tests, but the reality is that many can't afford it. They may not have insurance or have insurance with a high deductible and a lot of out-of-pocket expenses.
And such clinics can only do so much. They have limited resources and limited funds, but thank God they are here.
Millions of Americans struggle to be "proactive." But one area where we have a good chance to succeed is coming up: We can plan to be moderate through the holidays.
Email me at:
rboggs@adgnewsroom.com
ActiveStyle on 11/25/2019