It started with an idea that unexpectedly blossomed into reality when wife and mother of two Lisa George reached out to women in her community on social media.
It started with an idea that unexpectedly blossomed into reality when wife and mother of two Lisa George reached out to women in her community on social media. With a desire to stay active, George turned to Facebook in April 2016 to find a walking partner during the evenings while her daughter was asleep. It would eventually lead to the popular Haddonfield group, Haddonfield Women’s Health and Wellness.
Within minutes of reaching out on Facebook to find a walking companion, George was pleasantly surprised when 40 Haddonfield women offered to join her on her walk.
‘’My phone blew up like firecrackers,’’ George said.
That night, everyone who had replied to her joined for a walk.
By July 2017, members began inquiring about what measures could be taken to support each other further, eventually leading to the group rebranding itself in the fall with the input of the members, according to George. Transforming from just a walking group to a “wellness” group, HWHW gained more traction in the community and now totals more than 200 members.
What was once just a walking group transformed into an organization geared toward encouraging female neighbors to join together to walk, be healthy and enjoy each other’s company, according to George. Anything from finding a gynecologist to discovering a yoga partner is available through the group’s Facebook page.
Last month, George gained a new inspiration from the best-selling book, “The Happiness Project,” centered around author Gretchen Rubin, creating positive goals for herself to improve her life on a monthly basis, hoping to inspire others to live happier lives.
“I can relate to her in a sense,” George said. “I too am a mom in a wonderful community, but what else?’’
Just like the book, George hopes the group will inspire members to make their own happiness, with each woman holding one another accountable for staying healthy, whether it is doing a yoga class together, going to the gym or discussing women’s health-related topics. It is a safe and connected group to be involved with, according to George.
“We have to make a choice to be happy,” George said. “It doesn’t just come that easily.”
With this new influence, George asked the group members if they would like to participate in their own happiness project modeled after the book by motivating each other and choosing to create happiness by living a healthy life.
A Year of Happiness kick-off luncheon, the most recent event held by the group, was held upstairs at The Little Tuna restaurant on Sunday, Jan. 7. During the gathering, women were encouraged to open up and provide a glimpse into their everyday life and present health goals they hope to accomplish, even allowing women in the community to network with one another.
June Grushka-Rosen, a new member who attended the event, weighed in, saying by putting a group of women together with open hearts and minds, the support is limitless.
“The event was amazingly successful,’’ Grushka-Rosen said. “I think it was a beautiful intergenerational group … an empowering way to start off the year.”
Although the event was a success and women walked away with a greater sense of community, George has inspired women to want to put their health as a priority and take control of their own lives.
“Lisa is a confident rock star and visionary for this town,’’ Grushka-Rosen said.
The group is free to join for women of all ages; however, it is only open to women who live in Haddonfield. Those wishing to join the group can go to HWHW’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1712904395598921.
