Public Awareness Opportunities
for Senior Programs by Ann M. Londrigan National Senior Health & Fitness Day — May 31,1995 On Wednesday, May 31,1995, thousands of older adults will participate in local fitness activities throughout the country as part of the second annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day (NSHFD) — a nationwide event designed to promote better health and fitness for seniors, as a tie-in to Older Americans Month celebrations. This year participants in NSHFD will also be recognized as one of the official Presidential Fitness Partners in May — a program created by The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to more effectively promote the value of physical activity to the American public. In 1994, 200 sites nationwide held National Senior Health & Fitness Day events. Statewide, at least seven park districts (Addison, Arlington Heights, Carol Stream, Glenview, Rockford, Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg) celebrated the Day with walks, health-screenings, socials and athletic tournaments of all kinds. All for seniors. Slogan Contest: Adults ages 50 and older are eligible to submit a slogan for the 1995 National Senior Health & Fitness Day, and the contest winner will be awarded a cash prize of $250. Entries should be a short fitness phrase or sentence, upbeat and positive, and must be postmarked by December 31, 1994. to: National Senior Health & Fitness Day, 1995 Slogan Contest, 621 E. Park Avenue, Libertyville, IL 60048. For more information, call the Mature Market Resource Center, 708-816-8660 or 1-800-828-8225. Senior Health Watch Launched in July of 1993 by the Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health, "Senior Health Watch" is a five-minute weekly radio program covering issues related to aging and health. Not only does this program cover topical areas of interest to seniors and their family caregivers, it also generates awareness and interest from local groups and businesses within the community. The program is hosted by Jan Costello, the IDOA's Communications Manager, and is sent to radio stations across the state. To date, three representatives from the field of parks and recreation have been guests on the show promoting the benefits of recreation for seniors and opportunities available at local park districts: Ted Flickinger, Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Park Districts; Ralph Cianchetti, Commissioner, the Park District of Highland Park; and Geri Estvanik, Senior Coordinator, Addison Park District and IPRA's chair of the Senior Section. "Senior Health Watch" is recorded in Springfield, and interview topics are determined by the IDOA's Communications Division. If you haven't heard the program, call your local radio station or the Illinois Department on Aging's Senior HelpLine, 1-800-252-8966. 40 * Illinois Parks & Recreation * November/December 1994 NRPA's "Rocking Chairs" PSAs Available for Use at the Local Level Copies of the "Rocking Chairs" public service announcement are available through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Featuring actor Dick VanPatten, this upbeat PSA reminds older adults of the benefits of maintaining their health and well-being by participating in recreation activities. Print and video versions were distributed to 238 broadcast TV stations, 10 cable TV networks and more than 2,000 newspapers and magazines. The video tape version of the PSA is now available for use on the local cable access channels, community centers and by television stations in communities not currently airing this motivational PSA. The cost is $25 for NRPA members and $35 for non-members. Complimentary copies of the print PSAs are also available for use in newsletters and publications. Contact NRPA Publications Center, 2775 S. Quincy Street, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22206, or call Marcia Cram, The Leisure & Aging Section, NRPA, 703-578-5563. 1995 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame The 1995 Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame — the first statewide Hall of Fame exclusively for older adults — is open to a wide variety of individuals, like dedicated volunteers and board members, devoted public servants, role models, people who have overcome life-threatening obstacles, etc. Eligibility is based on the nominee's past and present accomplishments. The candidate must be age 65 or older and a current Illinois citizen or a former citizen who lived in Illinois the majority of his or her life. The judges will also consider posthumous nominees. Ultimately, up to 10 outstanding older Illinoisans will be selected for the 1995 Hall of Fame and an awards ceremony will take place at the 1995 State Fair in Springfield. Last year Governor Edgar presented the honors to ten Hall of Famers in front of a packed audience at the Fair's Senior Center, and releases with photos were sent to each individual's local community. For an application, call the Illinois Department on Aging's Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966. Ann M. Londrigan is the Marketing Communications Coordinator for the Illinois Association of Park Districts. * Illinois Parks & Recreation * November/December 1994 * 41 |
||||||||||||||||
|
Sam S. Manivong, Illinois Periodicals Online Coordinator |