A Letter from the President
By Rich Reinsburrow
It is time for the annual Hershey Hearts picnic again and that means that it is time for elections of officers. As stated in the Hershey Hearts By-laws, in even number years the term of the President, Secretary, and one Member-At-Large are up, and in the odd number years the position of Vice-President, Treasurer, and the other Member-At-Large are up. So at this years picnic we will be holding elections for the Vice-President, Treasurer, and one Member-At-Large.  If anyone is interested in any of these officer positions you can reply via regular mail to the Hershey Hearts address, by email to rreinsburrow@aol.com, or by phone to the Hershey Hearts phone number 1-800-864-2349, mailbox #3388. Please list the position you are interested in. Some one from the board will contact you concerning the responsibilities of the position and to confirm your interest.

Heart Beat Auction/Raffle
By Jill Hester
The Third Annual Heart Beat Auction/Raffle will be held Saturday, July 7th through Friday, 
July 13th, 2001 in Room H-1260 at the Hershey Medical Center, which is the main corridor from the entrance to the cafeteria. Please note that the auction is being held separately from the picnic (which is July 21st) for the first time this year. Again, we will be selling tickets in which the purchaser can choose which prize(s) they would like a chance to win. Tickets will be placed in bags with the corresponding prize, and winners will be drawn at random. The drawing to conclude the auction will be held in Room H-1260 on Friday, July 13th at approximately 6:30 p.m.. We will post a list of the winners at the picnic.  

Hopefully by the time you receive this newsletter, you will also have received a list of the prizes for the Auction
so that everyone has the chance to support Hershey Hearts in our third annual fundraiser. We also plan to have the prize list posted on our web site www.hersheyhearts.org as an additional and convenient way to help sell tickets. We are asking those who sells tickets to friends, family, coworkers, etc. to please bring the prize sheets to the Medical Center during the Auction, or mail them to Hershey Hearts, P.O. Box 163, Hershey, PA 17033, so that the tickets can be completed and placed in the corresponding bags before the drawing on July 13th.

Anyone interested in selling tickets at the Medical Center the week of the auction, or helping in other ways, please contact Jill Hester at email glennhmom@juno.com or call the Hershey Hearts number 1-800-864-2349 mailbox #3388.  

We tried to offer some different prizes this year, along with some old favorites, to keep everyone interested. With a little help from everyone, let's make this the most successful auction yet!  THANK YOU!

Hershey Hearts Picnic
By Bob Garvin
The 5th annual Hershey Hearts Picnic will be held on Saturday, July 21st from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.. The picnic will be at Hoffer Park, in Middletown. Please use the directions included. Please bring a covered dish and/or a dessert. Hamburgers, hot dogs, silverware, plates, napkins, cups, and drinks will be provided. We have the picnic shelter from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and will eat at 12:00 noon.

A fun day is being planned by the picnic committee, which will include: clowns, face painters, and a puppet show at 1:00 p.m. A brief meeting will take place after the puppet show.

The picnic shelter is enclosed, so the picnic will be held rain or shine. The picnic shelter is handicap accessible (Handicap parking at the shelter with macadam walkway up to the shelter).  Let's make the 5th picnic even better.  Please come and join in on the fun and fellowship!

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE !!!

Visitation Program
By April Weaver
As most of you are aware, the pediatric cardiologists have opened their new offices at the Nyes Road location.  With that move they took along a valuable asset ... Mary Lou Box. Since Mary Lou is primarily at this new location, she is unable to assist Warren Smith with the Visitation Program. However, Penny Porter has agreed to assume Mary Lou's role and fill-in for Warren when he is on vacation, etc. When you call Warren to indicate the hours you will be visiting, should he be on vacation his voice-mail message will instruct you to contact Penny Porter. She can be reached by calling the hospital at (717) 531-8521 and have the hospital operator page her for you.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mary Lou for her past support of our program. Her involvement has contributed to its ongoing success. Our thanks and welcome are extended to Penny for agreeing to help Warren with the Visitation Program. We would also like to recognize Warren for his continued support of and dedication to our program. Finally, we would like to thank all past and present Visitation Volunteers for their contribution to the Visitation Program. The time and emotional support that you unselfishly contribute are truly appreciated by everyone-especially the families we visit.

If you would like more information on becoming a Visitation Volunteer please contact Kelley Houtz at
(717) 657-7098 or April Weaver at (717) 627-1229.

Survival Kits
By Jill Hester
The newest project for Hershey Hearts is called "survival kits". They are a way, in addition to the visitation program, to help support our families when their child is receiving care and/or recovering from surgery while a patient at Hershey Medical Center. The survival kits are canvas tote bags, decorated with a "heart in hand" square that contain items to help a family during what can be a very stressful, both emotionally and financially, time. The hands that decorate the tote bags are tracings of some of our Hershey Hearts children.

At this point, the survival kits contain two $5 meal cards to the cafeteria, a 45 minute phone card, pen and tablet, tissues, mints, individually wrapped snacks, toothbrush and toothpaste, and laundry detergent. They also contain a Hershey Hearts Brochure, and we're currently working on a list and directions to area restaurants and grocery stores.  Some of the items are donated, and Hershey Hearts is purchasing the bags, meal cards, phone cards and other small items.

Warren Smith, our pediatric cardiac social worker, is distributing the bags to families at the medical center. He said they are very well received and he feels the survival kits are appropriately named. When Hershey Hearts provides a family with a bag, Warren says, it's like we're throwing the family a life line. Even though it may seem like it's a gift from strangers, in reality, we all share a very close bond. We've all had a child diagnosed with a heart defect or disease, and we're all on the same journey, whatever path we may be on, from despair to hope. The purpose of the survival kits is to let families know they are not alone in their journey. We are making a difference!

The Circle of Life
Author Unknown
His name was Fleming and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to eke out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog.  He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black mud, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you, "said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life." "No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. "Is this your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly. I'll make you a deal," said the nobleman. "Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of."

And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin.

Years afterward, the nobleman's son (a.k.a. "bog" boy) was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin.  The name of the nobleman? - Lord Randolph Churchill; his son's name? - Sir Winston Churchill. EVERY ACTION MEANS SOMETHING! GO AND DO LIKEWISE!!

Treasurer's Report
By Tom Teeter
In our February newsletter, I reported to you that our bank balance as of January 15, 2001 was $15,489.86. Since that report, we have had income totaling $1,306.62, comprised primarily of donations toward our recent basket bingo event in the amount of $1,278.28.

Our expenses totaled $4,106.58, including $1,952.00 for our second annual Reading Phillies outing, $984.81 in printing costs, including the printing of the February newsletter, $478.58 in costs thus far for the basket bingo fund-raiser, $118.26 for our "survival kits" project, as well as various miscellaneous expenses for mailing costs of newsletters, etc.

During the period since my last report, we have also transferred a portion of our funds into a savings account so that we can earn some additional income from interest until these funds are needed.

The total balance in both our savings and checking accounts as of May 21, 2001 was $12,689.90.  Although our basket bingo event was held near the end of April, we have not yet finalized the income and expense amounts from this event. I will include the final results in my next report to you.

As always, if you know of anyone who would like to make a donation to us or contact us for any other reason, our mailing address is:

Hershey Hearts
P.O. Box 163
Hershey, PA 17033-0163

Hershey Hearts Web Page
By Beth Dundorf
If you haven't logged onto www.hersheyhearts.org lately, you might not recognize it. Here is a list of several updates/changes recently made:

* We now have an email address attached to our web page. So for those of us that may have questions, or need to update your mailing address it can be done online.

* We have a new page titled "EVENTS". The first plans for this is to list the prizes available for the Heart Beat Auction. We will also use this page for Picnic information, support group meetings, and any other special happenings.

* We also have made all necessary updates for links to The Children's Heart Group site. As well as updated the links to email all the cardiologists.

If you're surfing the web hop over and check it out.  I'd be happy to hear any feedback.

Summer Safety Tips for Children with Heart Problems
By Mary Lou Box RN,C, MSN
Summer is just around the corner, so just a few tips to make your summer safe and enjoyable.

Children with heart rhythm problems and pacemakers:

-Avoid spinning amusement rides and rides that have sudden drop-off like the flume or roller coasters. These can aggravate the rhythm problem.

-Children with pacemakers should avoid contact sports where the pacemaker site could be injured - Example: goalie in soccer, catcher in baseball, diving from high boards or "belly-flopping". Injury to the pacemaker site could cause fracture of the pacemaker leads. Also, rides that have safety belts that may press heavily over the pacer site and cause injury should be avoided.

-Drink extra fluids during very warm weather to avoid dehydration and dizziness.  Children with unrepaired or partially repaired heart defects; children who still have "blue" episodes - Example: Hypoplastic Left Heart, Hemi-Fontan, Fontan, Shunts, 3 chambered hearts:

-Drink plenty of water or fluids to avoid dehydration.  The heart needs extra fluid to pump efficiently.

-"Stay Cool"- avoid direct exposure to sun and severe heat. Wear hats, loose, light clothing; use fans or light air conditioning. Increased heat can make the heart work harder to try and cool the body.

-Take frequent rest periods - avoid over-exerting.

Have a Safe and fun summer!!

2nd Annual Basket Bingo
By Terisa Johnson
Hershey Hearts held it's 2nd Annual Basket Bingo event on April 29th. We had a very successful turn out. We had all the baskets filled and also raffles and special games.  Everyone had a great time. First I would like to thank Ray Rebuck for being our bingo caller for this event. Other people I want to say a special Thank You to are : Chris Yohe, Jessie Cain, Trisha Lang, Paul Sipe, Dawn Snyder, Mr. & Mrs. Bernell Kohler, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rennoll, Sue Rennoll, Lois Louthian, Missy Louthian, Kathy Rider, Doris Fry, Mr. & Mrs. Bob Garvin , Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hester, Michelle Frey, Jackie Kohr, Jill Repoley, Judy Byrne, Wendy Nafziger, Joelle Scholle, and again my husband Eric.  For without these special people this wouldn't have been a great success.

I would just like to mention the businesses or individuals to thank them for their donated prizes or gift certificates that were given away between the games. Special Thanks to: Music Scene, Hoss's, Giant, Pizza Hut, Roma's Pizza in Red Lion, Bob Evans, Beer & Soda Mart in Red Lion, Italian Delight Restaurant, Little Italy Restaurant, P.S. Nails, Roma's Pizza in Dallastown, Sam's Club, Cloister, Subway, Capehorn Country, Gold's Gym, Holiday Hair (Pauline Drive), Shear Expressions, Pheasant Auto Service, LY Nails, Friendly's, Eat-n-Park, Cracker Barrel, Capehorn Restaurant, Cactus Willies, Broadway Auto Parts, Jerry's, Tyson's, Mack's Ice Cream, Fitzkee's Candies, Applebee's, Papa John's, Homestead Restaurant, Golden Crust Pizza, Starlight Diner, Olive Garden, Mt. Airy Junction, Isaac's Restaurant, Atlas Rubber Stamp and Lois Louthian.

Again, Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for another great event and helping all the families and children in Hershey Hearts.

Creative Memories Fundraiser
By Bonnie Stauffer
Coming soon... On September 22, 2001 at Hershey Medical Center we will all "Crop 'til we drop"! From 
9 a.m. until 5 p.m. there will opportunities for you to support Hershey Hearts AND to learn the latest techniques for organizing your photos, for creating meaningful photo albums and for enhancing your memories!

Are you NEW to Creative Memories? There will be beginner's classes offered from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. or again from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Then you can stay all day to continue working on your albums!

Are you already an avid CM scrapbooker? There will be breakout sessions throughout the day to highlight new products and opportunities such as the "Golf" combo pack or the new "Mats and Ribbons" class. Plus, ALL of the new products will be available for you to purchase that day! Keep in mind, if you are unable to attend, your order will still benefit Hershey Hearts!

Bring your friends and family! Spend time together!  Registration will be 10$ for a full day and 5$ for a 1/2 day! Bring lots of photos! Support Hershey Hearts! Lunch and snacks will be provided! Door prizes Galore! Full details and registration process to follow!

Call me at 569-3288 for questions. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all there! Bonnie Stauffer, CM unit leader.

Coming Events and Reminders

Mark you calendars for the following events in 2001:

¤ Heart Beat Auction/Raffle Saturday, July 7 through Friday, July 13, 2001 
in Room H-1260 at the Hershey Medical Center.
¤ Hershey Hearts Picnic Saturday, July 21, 2001 at Hoffer Park in Middletown.
¤ Creative Memories Fundraiser Saturday, September 22, 2001 
at Hershey Medical Center from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m..
¤ Hershey Hearts Support Group Meeting Saturday, October 20, 2001.
¤ Board Meetings are held the third Monday of every month.

If you know of a family that would like to receive the newsletter or would like to be removed from the mailing list, please call 1-800-864-2349, mailbox #3388. If you are moving or have an address change, please also call Hershey Hearts at 1-800-864-2349, mailbox #3388 to give the correct address.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or entries for the newsletter please call Hershey Hearts at
1-800-864-2349, mailbox #3388 number and someone will return your call.