HeartsNParks Community Mobilization Guide - National Heart, Lung ...

Sample Pitch Letter for Media
C-12
Dear [NAME of Editor],
A growing number of Healthy County residents—from children to seniors—are overweight
and physically inactive. As a result, these individuals are at increased risk for heart
disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and other serious conditions.
Healthy County Department of Parks and Recreation (HCDPR) is taking steps to counteract
this serious problem by becoming a Hearts N’ Parks community. Hearts N’ Parks is an
innovative program developed jointly by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health, and by the National Recreation and Park
Association (NRPA) to reduce the growing trend of obesity in the United States and to
lower Americans’ risk of coronary heart disease. The program encourages Americans of
all ages to aim for a healthy weight, follow a heart-healthy eating plan, and engage in
regular physical activity. HCDPR is the first Hearts N’ Parks community in our State,
and one of XX across the United States.
Joining with such prestigious partners as the NHLBI and NRPA enables Healthy County
to bring quality, measurable public health programs to our community with minimal
resources. For example, Healthy County now offers heart-healthy cooking and snack
preparation classes for seniors and singles, and our existing programs have been augmented
with special activities on eating well and being active. In addition, we’re working with
Healthy County Mall to display weight-loss materials and to publicize free consultations
with our staff for creating and following a personalized eating and exercise plan.
Heart disease is the leading killer among all Americans; it affects XXXX percent of
Healthy County residents. As a Hearts N’ Parks community, Healthy County Department
of Parks and Recreation hopes to make a significant and long-lasting contribution to
Healthy County. For story ideas on the HCDPR Hearts N’ Parks programs, please see the
attached sheet, or contact [NAME] at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.
Sincerely,
[NAME]