From the heart
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If you'd like your charity, community organization or service group featured, contact Christie Willhite at (630) 955-3536 or cwillhite@dailyherald.com.
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Maybe you've seen the little note cards while browsing some of Naperville's quaint shops.
Each image is different -- drawn, sketched, painted or photographed. And many have been created by different artists, from Mayor George Pradel to local children.
But most include a heart -- or the word "heart" -- in the design. And each has a weighty mission.
The Heart and Soul Notecards are a tribute to Kali Fandl, who died at just 8 months old after fighting heart disease from birth.
They aim to raise awareness of heart disease and its treatments while raising money for the American Heart Association.
Heart and Soul founder Tracy Fandl is launching February, American Heart Month, with a family friendly fundraiser that celebrates the note card art and encourages us all to think about our heart health.
Q. What is the mission of Heart and Soul Notecards?
A. To benefit the American Heart Association by raising money and awareness.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. I create and sell note cards, speak at events and go door to door with my son, Harrison.
Q. Who do you serve?
A. Everyone is affected by heart disease. It is the No. 1 killer. We all benefit by the research and development of the American Heart Association.
Q. When and why did the organization start?
A. In February 2000, I lost my daughter, Kali, to heart disease. My son, Harrison, and I do this in her honor to help others survive this disease. We launched our Web site this summer because it is a great way to communicate our message and for others to see what we do.
Q. How has it grown?
A. My note cards are in nine local shops: The Unique Bowtique, Little Luxuries, Anderson's Bookshop, Kasie's Beads, Wild Rose, The Canterbury Shoppe, SaraBoo Creek and The Beat of My Art in downtown Naperville; and south Naperville's Butterflies and Bugs.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
A. This is our sixth year fundraising for the AHA and we have had the opportunity to raise awareness through many speaking engagements. Together with the help of the community, we have raised more than $30,000.
Q. What challenges does the organization face?
A. Definitely it is raising funds. Every year we increase our goal by $1,000; this year our goal is $10,000.
Until most people realize heart disease is their biggest risk factor, it will be this way. That is why education is so important.
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about the organization?
A. February is heart health awareness month and it is the time to make your annual checkup if you haven't made it yet.
Naperville Mayor George Pradel is a great role model in many ways and heart health is one important way. He went to get his regular checkup when his doctor heard something and sent him on for more testing. After two successful surgeries at Edward Hospital, he is in great heart health. Many people don't do this and they wait until they have a "cardiac incident" before they start taking a close look at their heart health.
Q. What would surprise most people if they spent a week with the organization?
A. Mayor Pradel generously painted a giant heart to represent his appreciation for the American Heart Association and Edward Hospital. This painting has been turned into a note card and is available at my Web site or at the Naperville shops for a $5 donation to the American Heart Association. It will be the centerpiece of art created by many little area artists and donated to Edward Hospital to thank them for caring for our great city and mayor.
Q. How can readers get involved?
A. One way to help is to jump on my Web site and purchase cards -- created or custom -- for a direct donation to the AHA. Or find them in one of the local shops and purchase them as a gift or to send to benefit the AHA.
Another way to help would be to connect us with speaking opportunities at small- to medium-sized companies to talk about heart disease and the new START program the AHA launched recently. This program helps motivate employees to get active and eat well.
We would also love help marketing our note cards.
-- Christie Willhite
Be Our Valentine event
What: A showing of "The Veggie Tales Pirate Movie" anchors a pirate-themed family event to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association
When: 10 a.m. Feb. 2
Where: Showplace 16, at 95th Street and Route 59
Details: Movie, popcorn, temporary tattoos, raffles, door prizes and a children's art exhibit; every child gets a Lil'Kinz; Mayor George Pradel will discuss his experience
Cost: $20 per person
Reservations: Due by Friday; RSVP on the Web
Info: web.mac.com/tracy_fandl, click on "Valentine Event"
Vital statistics
Sources of funding: All the costs in making note cards is our donation to the AHA; we collect donations, sell the note cards and host events like Be Our Valentine
Amount raised for the American Heart Association: In our sixth year, we have donated a total of $30,000
Current donation wish list: We are a little more than halfway to our annual fundraising goal of $10,000. If you or your family has been affected by heart disease, please consider making a donation.
How to donate
On the Web: We are linked directly to the AHA. You can make a donation by credit card and receive a same-day confirmation by visiting our site: web.mac.com/tracy_fandl
Mailing address: Send checks payable to the American Heart Association to 3908 Grassmere Road, Naperville, 60564
For information
Call: (630) 862-8824
E-mail: tracy_fandl@mac.com
Visit: web.mac.com/tracy_fandl