SWCJAX Plays BINGO to Help Lake Shore Woman's Club Building Renovations!!!

DON'T BE STRESSED OUT!!!

   Our own, Karen Smith, spoke at our February meeting about stress management. She provided handouts for questions to determine your level of stress. If your score is below 6, you are not stressed. Anything over 13 indicates stress may be too big in your life. If over 18 you really need to do something to change your life. Stress is not only mental, but it is physical. Your body reacts to stress. It is your body’s response to some type of danger. Cortisol is the stress hormone produced by your body. There are environmental, social, personal, physical/illness creators of stress. When you are stressed Cortisol shoots into your adrenal gland. Stress can cause heart disease, stroke, increased blood pressure and other physical problems. She used an analogy of a Cave Man running into a saber-toothed tiger. Your body would react by focusing on your strength and eyesight, and paying less attention other functions. Today many people let minor things have the impact of an encounter with a saber-toothed tiger. Karen also provided a sheet with ways to reduce stress, which include exercise, supplements such as lemon balm and aromatherapy, and some teas. It may help to reduce caffeine intake or to chew gum. Each person needs to know their limits, and when to say no. For some people pets relieve stress. For some people meditation can relieve stress. Cuddling with your family is a stress reliever. Getting enough sleep and time management are both important. Karen had us participate in simple chair yoga exercises which can help relieve stress. 

SWCJAX Learns about Atrial Fibrillation!!!

Special Thanks to Yvonne Caldwell for speaking to us at our January meeting about Atrial Fibrillation…great information to take to heart!!! Yvonne shared that a normal heart has 4 chambers. If normal electrical signals are disrupted, the chambers do not work properly to move blood through the body. AFib can be diagnosed via an ECG but if a person is not episodic during the ECG the condition could be missed. This can cause a blood clot that can go to the brain. There are multiple treatments for this condition such as cardioversion or ablation.   

SWCJAX Book Club Members Earn ESO Certificates

Left to right: Marsha Ingram, Janet Schwarz, Flo Spragg, Carol Nikielski, Sandy Marshall, Anne Michael, & Terry Rudman (Not Pictured: Connie Buttlar)

SWCJAX Learns about the Autism Spectrum and How to Utilize ElderSource Resources

We were grateful to have the opportunity to learn more about the Autism Spectrum from Lauralyn Popp. Her heartfelt message was spoken with conviction and pride as she informed us on the great job the Jericho School (who we support annually) is doing to meet the needs of these children & young adults. Carla Furr brought us a meesage from ElderSource on the many services available for the asking for Seniors in our aera. Thank you, ladies, for the fantastic information!!!

GFWC FL SWCJAX celebrated Women’s History !!!

GFWC FL SWCJAX celebrated Women’s History Month with an engaging presentation from Chris Hoffman, the first woman Mayor of Jacksonville Beaches. She shared the rich history women have brought to the area and described how early settlers served as proprietors, laundresses, and civic leaders as they shaped and broke many boundaries! She also shared the importance of The Beach's Museum. Special Thanks to our guests from The Woman's Club/Jacksonville Beach.  So nice to exchange ideas with them. 

What an honor and privilege to partner with such an exemplary organization as Rethreaded. Rethreaded, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit, expertly uses upcycled materials -- much of it from retired Southwest Airlines seats -- to make purses, bracelets, earrings and much more. Our Club had the honor of hearing how this group of women are helping other women break the chains of trafficking through job skill training & lifestyle guidance! Thank you Stephanie & Shirley for sharing your stories with us!!! Our Members had the opportunity to do some early Holiday Shopping by purchasing products made by this much-needed organization. We are passionate in our support for this is a wonderful cause!!!

We enjoyed our March speaker, Lynn Joyner, from the Empowerment Ranch...we love to support organizations in our area that make an impact on environmental & educational issues! This ranch provides hands-on experiences to those with special needs, for families & volunteer groups. Thanks, Helen, for introducing us to such a great organization!

What an AWESOME EXPERIENCE to learn first hand on what goes on during the Operation Smiles procedures during our February General Meeting. MJ Kapuna, RN and her husband, who also travels for these surgeries, have been volunteering for over 8 years to many different counties doing these life-changing surgeries (and in many cases...many surgeries). Our Club is proud to be a part of this GREAT organization!!!

What an awesome privilege to partner with such a great organization like our special guests from Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) as we presented them with the funds raised during our Garage Sale in November!

Aaron Lewis from Independent Living Resources Center was our November Speaker. We LOVE partnering with such a great group providing such unique and important resources for our community. Thanks, Dianne for letting us know about such a fabulous organization ILRC is and how they were able uniquely to help your family.