Jump Rope for Heart March 30, 2009

Over 200 Spencer 4-6th grade students came together in the Spencer Fieldhouse to take part in the 23rd annual Jump Rope for Heart event, an hour-and-a-half long, jump rope event that promotes both cardiovascular health through exercise as well as the efforts of the American Heart Association. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students raise funds and then participate in the event to generate the donation. Spencer has one of the largest Jump Rope For Heart programs in the state of Iowa. All proceeds go directly to benefit programs of the American Heart Association....a fun and fit night!

Women's Night Out -- March 19, 2009

I am on the Friends of CAASA committee which is a group of volunteers that help with a variety of events throughout the year, but primarily help plan and organize the annual Women's Night Out fundraising event. Supporting victims of domestic abuse is a cause that is also near to my heart and I find it very rewarding to work with this great group of women. This year's theme was "Celebrating the Everyday Hero: The Power of Kindness". We had a beautiful setting, great speaker, lots of door prizes and of course the naming of the Outstanding Women of the Year. It was a fun night and I can't wait to see what we will come up with for next year.

Friends of CAASA packed the Clay County Regional Events Center hall on Thursday evening for their annual Women’s Night Out fundrais­ing event. As part of the evening CAASA recognized Josephine Gruhn (right) as its Outstanding Woman of 2008. Citing her service as a CAASA board member for a number of years, and her tireless work for victim’s rights, Gruhn was honored for all of her work, including her assistance with fundraisers awareness events, as well as her connection to leg-i­slators and community leaders in northwest Iowa.

Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant -- March 14 & 15

Susan Jackson, Mrs. Wisconsin International, Tami Krause, the Newly crowned Mrs. Minnesota International, and me after the pageant. All of the Teen, Miss and Mrs. candidates did a great job and it was fun to meet everyone. The pageant went beautifully and I look forward to spending more time with the Midwest "Mrs" in July at nationals.

Little Miss Shamrocks -- March 8, 2009

All the newly crowned "Miss Shamrocks" and me at the annual St. Patricks Day festivities in Emmestburg, IA

Special Guest Appearance

Olivia Myers, Miss Iowa America, and I were guest speakers at the Miss Shamrock Pageant.

Miss Shamrock Pageant Emmetsburg, IA

The newly crowned Miss Shamrock, Justine Wagner, of Emmetsburg, IA and myself at the annual pageant.

Press Release Briar Cliff College

March 2, 2009
Briar Cliff University Nursing Student Association to Host Mrs. Iowa
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Briar Cliff University Nursing Student Association will host Mrs. Iowa 2009, Val Whitehead, on Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. in the Saint Francis Center in the Stark Student Center on campus. The event is free and open to the public.
A Spencer, Iowa native, Mrs. Whitehead is a registered nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During her reign as Mrs. Iowa 2009, she is promoting the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Campaign, a movement dedicated to fighting heart disease among women. Mrs. Whitehead is the mother of three children and a community volunteer.
Briar Cliff’s Nursing Student Association, a student-led organization open to all Briar Cliff pre-nursing and nursing students, promotes the development of skills needed to be responsible and accountable members of the nursing profession. The organization also advocates for high quality evidence-based, affordable and accessible health care and sponsors a number of annual fundraising and community involvement activities.
Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 24 states and four countries. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion. For more information, please visit briarcliff.edu.

Planning Committee for Briar Cliff

Destiny Miller and her fellow nursing officers organized this event at Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, IA. They did a great job and we had over 100 students attend the event. I was able to talk about my experience as Mrs. Iowa, how I have been involved with the American Heart Association, and also talk about the Go Red for Women campaign. We had a great time and thanks for taking me out to Minerva's to eat--that was a treat. Good luck to all those future nurses as they finish up their last couple of months.

Speaking at Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, IA

Planning Committee for the Red Heart Affair

They had a beautiful supper. The committee did a great job. I had the priviledge to speak at the event and tell about my year. This event was a fundraiser for the upcoming Plymouth County Heart Walk in LeMars.

LeMars Red Heart Affair

Daphne Christensen and Val at Go Girl Go Red

This is Daphne Christensen. She came to support the event, but is also the President and Founder of the non-profit organization DylansSmile.

www.dylanssmile.com

She had ordered her fabulous red shoes from Gotham City Online and we were "published" on their blog site.

Check it out

http://blog.gothamcityonline.com

Go Girl -- Go Red

Kim Price and her group in West Des Moines did a great deal of work setting up a fundraising event for the American Heart Association Go Red for Women. The event was held Friday, February 27, 2009 in West Des Moines. They had a great turn out of family and friends that helped to support a the cause. I was on hand to help explain information related to Go Red and also get women registered with the Go Red campaign.