It was easy to find the Heart Health Awareness Event at Downey Adult School, because red heart-shaped balloons marked the way. A low-key approach to keeping fit, Heart Health Awareness seeks to educate the public on the benefits to your heart of improving your life habits.

For the first time, four Soroptimist International clubs collaborated, and this event was Awaken Your Wellness. SI members from Downey, Lakewood/Long Beach, Pico Rivera, and the new City of Commerce club met for their first quad-community project. Attire was gym apparel or comfy clothes.

“We started out right away,” said Rebecca Reyes, a member of SI Downey, “at nine o’clock, in the courtyard, doing yoga stretches taken from Tae Bo Fitness.” Tae Bo is an aerobic exercise routine, prized for its breathing habits.

“Then we did exercises using water bottles for weights,” said Rebecca, “learning how to push off when standing up. The idea is to work gently and slowly from a bench.”

“We moved into the auditorium,” said Rebecca, “and did more stretching. These are exercises all ages can do, but they do ask us to move out of our comfort zone.”

By the time I arrived, there was a festive air in the busy courtyard. The patio was filled with samples of healthy products. A table held baskets of free apples and tangerines, and free water bottles. There were vendors of essential oils for the skin, with gentle soaps, and candles. A juice bar stood at one corner, and fresh baked goods filled another.

Free tee shirts were being given away too. Many were wearing the soft grey tees with the SI logo in red. They said, “Waken Your Wellness,” with an EKG pattern dancing across a red heart.

Via Care, a non-profit health care center in East Los Angeles, had representatives to explain how they help secure quality and equitable health care. They deliver medical, dental and behavioral services for all, regardless of ability to pay, and have clinics in Downey, Bellflower, Whittier and South Gate.

Tickets were being sold for big cellophane-wrapped baskets of healthy goodies. The Soroptimists never miss a chance to raise a few dollars while presenting an event, and all the lucky winners went home happy.

SI Downey President Linda Haines welcomed everyone, and then I had a chance to talk with members from the newest club. President Christine of the fledgling City of Commerce said that when SI asked the existing groups to expand, she and about 20 “seasoned” members of the Montebello Club decided to branch out and form one in the City of Commerce.

Christine said SI Commerce has joined the Chamber of Commerce for new members, and reached out to the Casino, and also the Citadel, that outlet shopping mall on the 5 Freeway behind the wall of an Assyrian palace, to let them know of the Soroptimist presence in the community.

“We’ve only been in existence for two years,” said Roberta, Christine’s cohort, “and already we’ve raised enough money to give four women the chance to Live Their Dream.” That SI award is for single women who are head of household with children, who have turned their lives around and gone back to school to get coping skills. It’s Soroptimist’s signature endeavor, and the biggest event of the year.

At this Heart Health event I was able to meet again with Dominque Young, this year’s winner of SI Downey’s Live Your Dream award. Dominique has three active young children. and a website where she sells candles and copies of her book that tells of her early life bouncing between abusive foster homes, and how she has overcome. The SI award can be used for any expenses involved in getting new skills. Tuition and books are not all that it takes. Car repairs, for example.

“This journey together was a first,” said Martha Schefres, president of SI Pico Rivera. “We’d love to do it again.” The president of the joint clubs of Lakewood and Long Beach echoed Martha.

This first project encouraged and motivated a better quality of living, by raising heart health awareness. What next? Soroptomist clubs are known for being small but mighty, and when they get together, great results can be expected.

Small but mighty Soroptimists put focus on heart health