Go Red For Women is a national movement of the American Heart Association that has been raising awareness among women about the threat of heart disease to the lives of our friends, mothers, sisters and families. Go Red is thriving here in Richmond with the support of our generous sponsors and a passionate group of volunteers, and together we are saving lives.

As women, we often place the needs of others before our own. Now is the time to add personal well-being to our list of important ‘to-dos’. Together, we can educate ourselves, and our friends and families, about the signs and symptoms of heart disease in women, and on the small steps they can take to change their lifestyles and lower their risks of heart disease and stroke. There is great information to get you started at www.GoRedForWomen.org. You can also share your personal story on this site, get connected with other survivors, or start the BetterU 12-week program to eat better and get active.

I would like to personally invite you to make a donation to Go Red For Women, join our Circle of Red, or volunteer your time on our Passion Committee. As a supporter of this year-round campaign, you will be helping to change women’s lives throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Contributions are tax-deductible and specifi cally restricted for women’s heart disease research, advocacy and education. Find out more at www.heart.org/richmondvagoredluncheon or “Like Us” at facebook.com/RichmondAHA.

Heart disease kills one in three women, women just like you and me. Together, we CAN make a difference.

View a part of the Go Red for Women insert which is featured in this month’s Richmond Magazine.

Marilyn H. West
2012 Chair, Go Red For Women

Take advantage of this warm winter this weekend by traveling through Virginia’s wine country and tasting some of the state best wine and chili. Tour central Virginia’s premier wineries including: Cooper, Grayhaven, James River and Lake Anna! Buy a passport ticket (www.HOVAwinetrail.com). You will get a souvenir wineglass, tasting at the four Heart of Virginia Wineries and a chance to win prizes upon completing the trail. During this weekend you will get to sample Chili at each winery, then vote for your favorite one! Please note that Heart of Virginia Wine Trails can be completed anytime during normal hours of operation.

The Go Red for Women Luncheon promises to offer a spectacular sight in Richmond: A sea of women wearing red.

Their attire will accentuate a good, eye-catching purpose: To show that women, in a display of togetherness, can make a difference in improving women’s heart health.

The 2012 Go Red for Women Luncheon is a benefit to raise awareness and much-needed funds for cardiovascular research by the American Heart Association. It will be held next month at The Jefferson hotel.

Marilyn H. West, a prominent Richmond businesswoman, is this year’s Go Red volunteer chair. She enthusiastically accepts the challenge of making the heart-healthy luncheon a total success. What drives Mrs. West to be involved in this benefit?

“I am committed to promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles in women,” she says. One in three women die from heart disease.

For that reason, Mrs. West, 67, willingly is making the time to lead this event despite her already busy schedule. She is chairwoman and CEO of her own company, M.H. West & Co., Inc. a management, planning and education consulting firm she launched 21 years ago.

Mrs. West also sees benefits in volunteering. For her, it “keeps me current and up-to-date on trends and issues” in professional, trade and nonprofit groups.

She also enjoys being involved in Richmond efforts “toward growth and positive change.”

Known for her energy and resourcefulness, Mrs. West is using her skills and business experience to help Go Red for Women build on its past fundraising success.

Last year, Richmond donors raised $350,000 through the Go Red movement, ranking the Richmond region No. 10 in the country among Go Red programs.

Mrs. West says this year she hopes to boost that amount to $500,000, which would move the region to No. 5 among such programs.

She says the group is making strides in expanding and adding sponsors, such as the VCU Health System and Virginia State University.

But she also is seeking to develop emerging leadership, expand the volunteer pipeline to advance causes like Go Red and recognize the “good work of small businesses and ordinary people who are making a difference.”

A close-up of this week’s Personality, Marilyn H. West:

Place of birth:
McKeesport,Pa.

Current home:
Richmond.

Alma maters:
Waynesburg College (now University), bachelor’s degree; University of Pittsburgh, master’s degree.

Family:
Husband, Edward G. West; two adult children, Meaghan B. West and Brennan E. West.

How I find time to support Go Red:
Set priorities, manage time, work efficiently, start my day very early and avoid thinking about the time of day it will end.

Luncheon’s No. 1 challenge:
To sustain the commitment and interest of our supporters to engage in behaviors that promote healthy hearts for themselves and their network of employees, family members, colleagues and friends. Another challenge is to make sure that we reach out and touch all segments of the community, especially trying to reach children and youths at the earliest possible age.

When planning began:
Planning on my clock for Go Red began unofficially when I became vice chair and officially on the day of the February 2011 luncheon, where it was announced that I would chair the 2011-12 campaign. I am honored to do so with a group of very committed, competent and talented women who are diverse in their views and experiences.

How I’ll feel when the luncheon is over:
It won’t be over for me. I have been involved with the Go Red movement in central Virginia since its inception. I will continue a role with the upcoming leadership as immediate past chair and will continue to share knowledge and resources as appropriate.

How I got involved with the AHA and Go Red:
Mary Ann Graf of the Bon Secours Richmond Health System invited me to become involved.

Advice to aspiring young people interested in business:
Among other things, create and market a quality product; stay in touch and continue to identify approaches to promote customer satisfaction; employ and surround yourself with talent and with individuals who can complement your skills; give back and get involved; smell the roses and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

How volunteering helps my business:
I look at the volunteer experience as my continuing education.

Key to business success:
Never become satisfied with where you are. Keep customers and staff satisfied.

The three words that best describe me:
Strategic, resourceful and persistent.

Leadership is:
The vehicle that drives success, growth and change in individuals and organizations.

If I had more time, I would:
Trace my roots and connect with individuals who may be strangers but actually relatives.

Friends like me because:
I am committed, dependable, honest, humorous and willing to share what I know.

My hero:
My husband, who has been a thought partner for more than one-half of my life and who has overcome health problems through a positive attitude and willingness to make lifestyle changes to promote wellness and health status.

What I do to unwind:
Go fishing, play tennis or bridge or volunteer.

Hobby:
Creating digital art.

What really turns me on:
The strategies used by an “underdog” (individual or organization) to achieve success under adverse circumstances.

What I like most about Richmond:
Persistence to leverage its people and other resources toward growth and positive change.

The least:
Resurrecting ideas that have failed more than once.

What Richmond needs most:
To develop further emerging leadership; expand the volunteer pipeline to advance causes such as Go Red; promote the region’s resources and progress; and recognize, to a greater extent, the good work of small businesses and ordinary people who are making a difference.

Nobody knows:
I am in conditioning mode to return to playing tennis competitively, but as a senior.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is:
To be prepared, learn from positive and negative experiences and share your talent and resources with others.

Next goal:
Keep a healthy heart, maintain energy levels and sustain my business for another decade.

At 33, he was pressing the case of civil rights with President John Kennedy. At 34, he galvanized the nation with his “I Have a Dream” speech. At 35, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. At 39, he was assassinated, but he left a legacy of hope and inspiration that continues today.

This Web site, first created by The Seattle Times in 1996, contains the story of a remarkable man, images of a tumultuous time, and perspectives of politicians, academics, students and the many, ordinary citizens whose lives he touched. We invite you to explore it.

Created in 2002 by the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, National Mentoring Month focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure brighter futures for our young people.

10 Things You Can Do This January

1. Become a mentor in your community.
2. Learn more about mentoring.
3. Partner with a mentoring organization.
4. Join “I Am a Mentor” Day.
5. Think about the mentors in your life and post a tribute to them online.
6. Read the latest research and find resources on mentoring.
7. Serve your community on MLK Day of Service by deciding to become a mentor.
8. Make a donation to a mentoring organization in your community.
9. Go to YouTube on Thank Your Mentor Day™ (January 26) and make the National Mentoring Month videos the most popular of the day.
10. Explore ways to help children succeed academically through mentoring.

For more information on National Mentoring Month visit: www.nationalmentoringmonth.org.

Field trips are not the staple they once were. With growing pressure on school budgets, many schools with largely at-risk student populations can no longer afford transportation fees to bring their students to places like the History Center. M.H. West & Co., Inc. has stepped forward to fund transportation costs for 40 classes over the next two years. “This locally based management consulting company knows the Richmond area school system well and understands the importance of broad educational experiences for all school children.”

Generous support from corporations like Target, Wachovia, MWV, and VCU Health Systems, has allowed the History Center to offer free education programs to Richmond Public Schools. Forgoing the student fee allows schools the flexibility to send more students on field trips.

Thanks to the generosity of these members of our corporate community, students from around the area will continue to visit the History Center to learn firsthand about Richmond history. Just as they have been doing for the past 75 years.

There are some major events downtown this weekend make sure you don’t miss anything! The Weekend Starts with more horse and carriage rides and concludes with The 25th Court End Christmas and a holiday house tour of Church Hill, one of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods!

Friday – Sunday, December 9th- 11th
Horse & Carriage Rides
Pick up area at 10th and E. Cary Streets (James Center), $10 a person (children 4 and under sitting in your lap are free), Friday 7:00-10pm, Saturday 5-9pm, Sunday 5-8pm Clip-Clop Clip-Clop – the sound of horses’ hooves on the cobblestones, jingle bells ringing, the holidays are here in Richmond’s River District. We hope you and your family will join Oakley Farm Horse Drawn Carriages for this traditional holiday treat. Each ride is scheduled on the half-hour and is approximately 20 minutes. You must reserve your seat by calling 804-769-4580 or 804-514-4767.

Saturday, December 10th
19th Annual James River Parade of Lights
Libby Hill Park, corner of 28th and E. Franklin Streets, entertainment at 4:30 pm, parade viewing at 6pm; and the Intermediate Terminal Dock, at Dock and Water Streets, parade viewing at 6pm
This year’s parade features festively decorated boats that cruise the parade course from Richmond to Chesterfield and Henrico counties with spectators from throughout the region that gather at several official viewing locations. The event has become a cherished holiday tradition for people from throughout the region. Sponsored by the James River Advisory Council. For more information call 804-717-6681 or visit jamesriveradvisorycouncil.com.

Sunday, December 11
25th Annual Court End Christmas
Free and Open to the Public
Valentine Richmond History Center and the Wickham House, John Marshall House, the Virginia State Capitol, the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, Monumental Church, the Egyptian Building, the Beers House, St. Paul’s Church and St. John’s Church; Free admission; 12pm-5pm
A Richmond tradition celebrates the season in 19th century style. The free holiday open house features reenactments, children’s activities, refreshments, carriage rides, music, special guest appearances, and free admission and tours of ten historic downtown sites.
Complimentary shuttle provided between sites. Refreshments are either complimentary or for purchase, depending upon venue.

Sunday, December 11
Church Hill Holiday House Tour
Church Hill neighborhood, Advance tickets $15, day of the tour $20, 12pm-5pm
Once again, we open our doors to visitors on December 11, 2011 from 12pm – 5pm for our 46th annual Historic Holiday House Tour. Visitors will enjoy a journey back in time as they stroll through Richmond’s first neighborhood, encountering carolers in period costumes and horse drawn carriages. Price per ticket is $15 in advance, $20 the day of the tour and tickets are available here: (Please pick up tickets purchased online on the 11th at St. John’s Church.) On the day of the tour, please wear flat, rubber soled shoes to protect our historic wood floors!
For more information or to purchase tickets online visit www.churchhillrichmond.com.

Article Courtesy of Venture Richmond.

M. H. West & Co., Inc.’s Chair and CEO, Marilyn West, her husband Edward West and WEST associates Tom Wilkinson, Radcliffe Chambers, Nanci Kapoor, Meaghan West, Julian House, Erica Cage and Joe Armstrong attended the 144th Greater Richmond Chamber annual dinner on November 30th. M. H. West & Co., Inc. was happy to be a corporate table sponsor for this premier event. The highlight of the evening was the IMPACT Award, which honored a handful of emerging businesses from the region. The award recognizes local businesses that have made an impact on the Richmond region’s economy, the community, their employees and their industry through innovation.

A Petersburg-based solid-waste-disposal company, Container First Services won the 2011 Impact Award. Container First Services was among five finalists for the award. The company is working on several projects to make landfills more environmentally sustainable.

The other 2011 Impact finalists were:

• Dominion Digital Inc.
• Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc.
• Dominion Packaging Inc.
• LeClair Ryan

Previous winners of the Impact Award include The Pediatric Connection, Uppy’s Convenience Stores, American Family Fitness, SnagAJob.com, Intercept Youth Services and HeloAir Inc.Other awards presented during the dinner included the Young Professional Workplace Award, which recognizes the region’s best workplaces for younger professionals.

The Martin Agency won the Young Professional Workplace Award in the large-business category. In the Small-Business Category, the award went to Madison + Main.

Four companies received Business Council awards recognizing outstanding companies in Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties and Richmond. The award winners were:

• Chesterfield Business Council Award Winner — Progressive Design
• Hanover Business Council Award Winner — Kings Dominion
• Henrico Business Council Award Winner — Elephant Insurance Services LLC
• Richmond Business Council Award Winner — Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc.

Many members of the WEST staff commented on how much they enjoyed the food served at the event. Marilyn West thought the food was delicious, but catching up with old acquaintances was her favorite part of the evening.

November is National Adoption Month, a month set aside each year to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. This year’s National Adoption Month initiative targets adoption professionals by focusing on ways to recruit and retain parents for the 107,000 children and youth in foster care waiting for adoptive families. The National Adoption Month poster (PDF – 2,796 KB) notes strategies adoption professionals can implement any day, week, or month to benefit children waiting for families. The Spanish National Adoption Month poster (PDF – 2,494 KB) also provides suggestions for working with Spanish-speaking families throughout the year.

The 2011 theme for National Adoption Month is Build Capacity to Make Lasting Change. The National Adoption Month initiative supports the national adoption recruitment campaign and public service announcements produced in partnership with the Ad Council, AdoptUSKids, and the Children’s Bureau. This year’s campaign is targeted toward the recruitment of families for preteens (8-12 year olds).

The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in foster care occurred in Massachusetts in 1976, when Governor Michael Dukakis announced an Adoption Week. The idea grew in popularity and spread nationwide. In 1984, President Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, and in 1995, under President Clinton, the week was expanded to the entire month of November.

Every November, a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation. Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs, events, and activities to share positive adoption stories, challenge the myths, and draw attention to the thousands of children in foster care who are waiting for permanent families.

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Each year, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) honors individuals and organizations that, through their tireless work and dedication to philanthropy, have improved the quality of life in their communities and around the world. Recipients of the Awards for

Philanthropy candidates are nominated for demonstrating outstanding commitment and leadership in all aspects of philanthropy. AFP recognizes these outstanding honorees that embody the true meaning of philanthropy—the love of humankind.

AFP’s 2012 honorees, announced this year on Nov. 15, National Philanthropy Day, include:

• MeadWestvaco – Corporate Philanthropist of the Year
• Saints $100 for 100 – Youth Philanthropist of the Year
• Linsey Kornblau – Spirit of Giving Award
• Lisa Schaffner – Volunteer of the Year
• Jessie Ball duPont Fund – Foundation Philanthropist of the Year
• Alan I. Kirshner – Individual Philanthropist of the Year
• John W. and Jane M. Roberts – Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy

M. H. West & Co., Inc.  Chair and CEO, Marilyn West was inspired by the event and happy for all the award recipients. Marilyn and her company invest in many of the organizations that make a difference in the region’s people, culture,  economic growth, workforce,  education, healthcare and environment.