Monthly Archives: May 2012

Save a Life; Invite a New Kitten Into Your Home this June

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Is your family thinking about getting a pet? If so, your timing couldn’t be any better. June is National Adopt a Cat Month, making it the perfect opportunity to invite a new kitten into your home.

And according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), it’s urgent.  The organization asserts that about 70 percent of cats that enter animal shelters throughout the country are eventually euthanized.

Promotional Cat Flexible Magnet

Animals that end up in shelters or adoption centers are usually either given up by their owners or found by animal control.  Less than two percent of cats that are brought to shelters are returned to their owners.  In the month of June especially, these temporary homes for pets see a massive surge in their cat population.

Whether you are looking to take home a pet of your own or you simply want to help spread the word, take action this National Adopt a Cat Month.  Every little bit makes a difference; these furry felines need your help!

Celebrate Safely this July 4th

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As the months pass and we head toward the summer, we’ve all got one thing on our minds:  fireworks.  They light up the night sky almost daily during the warm months of June, July and August, creating a beautiful show for all to see.  But while they’re certainly gorgeous to look at, firecrackers can be quite dangerous if not handled properly.

Fireworks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2005, an estimated 11,000 Americans were treated for fireworks-related injuries.  People most often injure their hands, eyes, head, face and/or ears when using firecrackers.  Additionally, about 60 percent of firework-related wounds occur in July, especially during the days surrounding Independence Day.  These alarming statistics highlight how hazardous firecrackers can be, especially when ignited by non-professionals.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety, an organization that aims to educate Americans on how to responsibly use fireworks, offers several tips for using firecrackers without harm just in time for National Fireworks Safety Month this June:

  • Only use fireworks outside
  • Abide by local laws
  • Keep water on-hand
  • Follow directions, and don’t alter or combine fireworks
  • Do not attempt to reignite duds
  • Keep spectators a good distance from the shooter
  • Do not drink and set off fireworks
  • Do not allow children 12 or younger to handle sparklers of any variety
  • Do not attempt to make or use homemade explosives

Think Ahead: International Surf Music Month

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Remember this episode of Family Guy that aired back in 2008?

The song that repeated for nearly 22 minutes straight is “Surfin’ Bird” by The Trashmen. The episode relaunched the song back on popular music charts both here in the United States and in the United Kingdom. Last time “Surfin’ Bird” had charted was back in 1963.

It’s an extreme example of how surf rock music is making a comeback in this day and age. Starting in the early 1960′s and only seeing a steady revival in the late 2000′s, Surf rock is a subgenre of music best known for 4/4′s time music in a medium or fast paced tempo, guitar/saxophone/melodies and heavy finger picking. The trend was made famous by groups such as The Beach Boys, The Trashmen, Dick Dale and  The Surfaris. Recently, that same sound has been revived by artists such as The Drums, Surfer Blood, Wavves and Man or Astroman?

Whether you want your clients and employees to rediscover the classic surf music of the past or figure out how exactly Real Estate is a surf rock band, consider purchasing the custom imprinted Digital Media Card. This is the perfect item to make people aware of International Surf Music Month.

Slim Down for Summer During National Dairy Month

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June is National Dairy Month, an initiative that began in 1937 as “National Milk Month.”  Since then, the awareness campaign has expanded to include the many different dairy products that are available to Americans.   But why do we need a whole month dedicated to dairy?

Dairy

The US government suggests consuming at least three servings of dairy products a day, and yet according to the American Heart Association (AHA), most of us fall short.  Getting enough dairy, AHA reports, “contributes to bone health, helps prevent osteoporosis and may lower the risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors by helping to control body weight and fat.”  Who knew there were so many benefits to eating more milk, cheese, and some of our other favorite foods?

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) asserts that June is the ideal time to celebrate National Dairy Month because it encourages Americans to kick off the summer right.  Dairy products are made up of nine important nutrients proven to help you manage your weight, which is especially important to most during bathing suit season.Promotional Cheese Stressball

So get on board and start prepping for National Dairy Month today! And to make an even bigger difference, hand out dairy promotional items at work or school. Everybody could the reminder; we all need “3-A-Day” of these nutrient-rich foods.

Help Kick Off Women’s Health Week This Mother’s Day

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Most Americans are well aware that Mother’s Day takes place this Sunday, May 13 (and if you weren’t before reading this, you’d better go pick up some flowers!).  But did you know that another important event kicks off on that same day?  That’s right; National Women’s Health Week is scheduled for Sunday, May 13 – Saturday, May 19.

According to the federal government’s Office on Women’s Health, the awareness initiative “brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health.”  This year’s theme, “It’s Your Time,” aims to encourage women to make their health a high priority in their lives.

Promotional Women's Health Organizer Better Book

The Office on Women’s Health recommends women take the following steps for their mental and physical health:

  • Receive regular checkups and screenings from a health care professional
  • Try to be more active
  • Eat well-balanced meals
  • Maintain good mental health by getting a full night of sleep and managing stress
  • Avoid risky behaviors like smoking and not wearing a seatbelt in the car

Celebrate the important women in your life during Women’s Health Week by handing out National Women’s Health Week promos.  These giveaways will further encourage females all over the country to take care of themselves and their health.

Think Ahead: National Accordion Awareness Month

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Every awareness event we cover on the AWARENESSMONTHS Blog is hand selected by employees at Motivators. Each awareness event or awareness month covered is something we care deeply about. However, it is a rarity to find a fun, unique awareness month that fills us (or at least, Nick) with the anticipation and the excitement in the same way National Accordion Awareness Month does.

The accordion is one of my favorite instruments. Following in the vein of the piano, the accordion is one of the few instruments to not only transcend musical genres over the course of generations but is one of the few instruments that can be used in almost any genre today.

Invented in the 19th century,  the accordion is comprised of keys, valves, reeds and a squeezebox. When the keys are pressed and the squeezebox is expanded or contrasted, it pushes air through reeds. To this day the accordion remains one of the most recognized instruments in both look and sound.

As mentioned above, there are more genres than polka that are using the accordion. Whether it is indie rock, (The Decemberists, Arcade Fire) various forms of punk, (Gogol Bordello, The Pogues) rock and roll, (John Cougar Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band) alternative rock, (Panic! At The Disco, They Might Be Giants) or even various forms of metal (Agalloch, Turisas)  you’ve probably listened to accordion music without realizing it.

National Accordion Awareness Month is in June and is a great way to celebrate the instrument that has been so iconic. Celebrate with a custom imprinted USB flash drive of accordion music.

Skin Cancer Awareness: Prevention Means Everything

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Sunbathers and beach goers might think May is way too early to be talking about skin cancer. Spring’s just started and there’s been hardly any time to even consider getting some sun.  But the point of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month is to raise awareness about the risks of sun exposure before the summer gets into full swing. With the proper knowledge you can enjoy the warm months of June, July and August responsibly.

Skin Cancer Awareness: Prevention Means Everything

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer of the skin is the most prevalent form of cancer in the US.  In 2007, over 8,000 Americans passed away due to melanomas of the skin. Considering how preventable skin cancer is, these numbers are way too high.

Sun damage can be avoided in a number of ways.  Always, always apply sunblock, even if it’s not hot or the sun doesn’t seem super-strong. Just because it doesn’t seem bad outside doesn’t mean the sun’s rays aren’t posing a threat. If you’re heading outdoors for an extended period of time, take some sunscreen with you and reapply throughout the day. Sweat, water and other factors can decrease the effectiveness of sunblock, so it’s important to keep some on-hand.

If you’re fair-skinned, you might even want to take along a long-sleeve shirt and a hat. These items will further protect you against harmful UV rays. A cap is especially great because it protects your scalp, your face, and sometimes even your neck and shoulders.

Again, it’s important to deliver this message to people before the summer kicks off. For example, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is offering free skin cancer screening in honor of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month.  This is a great way to help people detect possible problems before they spend the entire summer in the sun. You can also consider distributing skin cancer awareness products at events or throughout outdoor areas in your community.

How will you help promote National Skin Cancer Awareness Month?