MADE Stronger – This week’s theme – Volunteerism!

Did you know that 196 people volunteer for various boards and commissions that make up our Town’s government?  From M.A.D.E to the Shellfish Commission to Economic Development to Planning and Zoning to Energy and Efficiency to Conservation to the Board of Education – some are elected and some are appointed but all those people are VOLUNTEERS!!  And that’s just the government.  Think of the volunteers that are involved at the food pantry, your local house of worship, youth organizations, PTOs, Scranton Library and let’s not forget our wonderful volunteer fire departments!

This week’s challenge – get involved!  Find something that is of interest to you and I bet there is a volunteer organization that covers it.  Just think, you will get out of the house and not be working or going to school.  You can meet people that have the same interest.  You can do something positive for the community, but really you will be helping yourself.  It is great for the heart and the soul to feel that you have contributed. 

This week’s highlighted organization is Night in Hand which is celebrating its 26th anniversary this year.  Nite in Hand is a fun, safe, substance-free night of celebration for graduating seniors.  Our seniors look forward to the event with great anticipation.  The Madison community, parents of DHHS students, and the students themselves all come together to make this a memorable night for this year’s graduates.  If you want to help in this wonderful event please send an email to niteinhand@gmail.com Even though my son is a junior, I have been helping out for a few years.  It is a great experience. 

This does not mean that you can be a slouch on the healthy eating and exercise portion of the challenge! This week my husband and I had a discussion about the daily meals.  Somehow large amounts of soda and other unhealthy snacks have crept back into the weekly shopping list. We are making a conscious decision to try to eliminate as much junk as possible.  We know that this is not the most popular decision, so we are just going to stop buying the junk, replace with healthier alternatives and see if the kids notice. Hopefully they won’t read this blog!

If you are wondering about the M.A.D.E. challenge or want to volunteer please check out the website at http://www.madestronger.org If you are having trouble with your goals the MADE Stronger Calendar has events that will help you attain wellness. Next week there are yoga classes for all ages and a wonderful wellness program at the Senior Center!  Just follow this link to the calendar http://www.madestronger.org/calendar.php.

Would you like to get your company name or business more exposure in the Madison Community?  For a small sponsorship fee you can participate in a fun, communitywide event as a table sponsor ($50) or as a Superhero Fun Run t-shirt sponsor ($100 to include your business name on the back of the Fun Run t-shirt) – or both.  The MADE Stronger Health & Wellness Challenge ending event – the MADE Stronger Festival and Superhero Fun Run will take place on Sunday, April 6th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Surf Club.   There will be music, food, and tables for business sponsors and for face painting, etc., along with a 2 mile Superhero Fun Run (or walk) that begins at 11:00.  We hope you will be part of this fun event!

For more information or to volunteer, contact Tina Garrity at ting45@aol.com or 203-245-2632

Just think by volunteering, you could help Madison be MADE Stronger!