Team WAGM Makes A Difference At Annual Planet Head Day Event To Benefit C.A.N.C.E.R.

Team WAGM Makes A Difference At Annual Planet Head Day Event To Benefit C.A.N.C.E.R. raising more than four thousand dollars to help local county community 

(February 2012)--This past weekend's Planet Head Day event to benefit C.A.N.C.E.R. (the Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery) was a massive success. 

A whopping 27 thousand dollars was raised by participants, supporters and volunteers. My goodness, I get emotional just seeing the people, the enthusiasm, the support and the joy of how we all came together for this event at UMPI's Wieden gymnasium. 

 

The event kicked off at 11am and when you walked in, there were barber stations ready to shave...painting stations with local artists ready to paint planets on the heads of those who braved the goal.  Our own Team WAGM (me and Chris Weimer) raised more than four thousand dollars with the station generously matching our efforts up to a certain amount.

And our two colleagues Dan Stairs and Josh Archer also raised funds and had their heads shaved and painted. Along with Chris. I had my head painted and when it was all said and done, I chose to be Planet Saturn. Gotta love the rings. And I think it truly suit me.

I wore them well, I was told. Chris and I and all the supporters of this event put in a lot time fundraising...including some community appearances of which you saw past pictures on this blog and my facebook pages. It was so worth it though.

Chris also made a story that aired on our station and I'll upload that piece later on. Its inspiring! We're already making plans for next year...go bigger, go better!

                                                

I'm so proud of how the county community comes together to take care of their own.

Shawn Cunningham is Panelist on Changing Journalism Trends at the University of Maine at Presque Isle

Shawn Cunningham Takes Part in Four Person Panel Discussion on Changing Journalism Trends at the University of Maine at Presque Isle

(February 2012)– On February 15th, the University of Maine at Presque Isle hosted three media experts for a journalism seminar entitled Information Overload: How Do You Find the Truth? in Wieden Auditorium. The public audience turnout was great for this free evening seminar, which featured award-winning journalist and documentary film-maker Darrell Dorgan of North Dakota, myself representing WAGM-TV and Jen Lynds of the Bangor Daily News. This event was sponsored by the Maine Association of Broadcasters and the Maine Press Association.

According to event organizer Dr. Jacqui Lowman, the seminar will focus on the changing media landscape: how people are getting their news nowadays, how that shifts and blurs the lines of what news is, and why this matters to all of us as news consumers.

In two hours we covered the gamut of changing media trends and issues including the impact of blogging, social media like Facebook, Youtube and believe it or not...the Kardashians...The format for the seminar will provide time for the speakers to give their viewpoints on the issue and then the rest of the time will focus on a discussion with the audience.

                                

The Information Overload seminar serves as an excellent learning/professional development opportunity for all news consumers and especially those who are interested in or are members of the news industry.



Discussing the  topic before event begins.

 

"Healthy Hearts, Healthy Community" Hosted By Shawn Cunningham Set To Debut Season 2 Thanks to Awarded AstraZeneca Foundation Grant

"Healthy Hearts, Healthy Community" Hosted by Shawn Cunningham In For Another Year Run...

(February 2012)--GREAT NEWS! Cary Medical Center which produces "Healthy Hearts, Healthy Community" the monthly tv program hosted by Maine Television Journalist Shawn Cunningham was awarded nearly three hundred thousand dollars to continue the program and their overall community wellness initiative to turn around the astounding rates of heart disease in Northern Maine for another year.



Shawn Cunningham, Host of "Healthy Hearts, Healthy Community" airing on WAGM-TV

At the official press conference held last week in Caribou, Maine the announcement was made the foundation would award $276,000 to the hospital site to continue their successful efforts.



Cary Medical Center was awarded $278,000 by the AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation to continue their efforts promoting the Healthy Hearts Healthy Community wellness initiative.

 

HHHH Program Host Shawn Cunningham spoke about the tremendous success of the tv series and the initiative as a whole as its literally changing the health and lives of so many county people. The first show of season 2 is already wrapped and the production crew are set to continue throughout the year with more programs, bringing real life dramatic stories and first person accounts of change and empowerment.



Check presentation by the AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation to Cary Medical Center. Here is Cary CEO Kris Doody accepting the check.



And also bringing the wellness program directly into communities by partnering with local restaurants and businesses that want to promote wellness, healthy diet/nutrition and exercise. Healthy Hearts, Healthy Community is more than lifestyle...its a MOVEMENT.



Cary Medical Center CEO, Kris Doody opening the press conference and the announcement of extended grant money to continue Cary's work in the community.



Check your local listings to watch the program in your area or check out the official website at www.gohealthyhearts.org

  



"Healthy Hearts, Healthy Community" Production Director...and my mentor Frank Grant. Frank is EXTREMELY talented and I'm so lucky to be working with him and taking direction from him.



Season Two of TV Show "Healthy Hearts, Healthy Community" Featuring Host Shawn Cunningham Set to Return February 2012

"Healthy Hearts, Healthy Community" the monthly TV Program featuring Host Shawn Cunningham and airing on WAGM-TV is set to make its season two debut February 2012.

(February 2012)--Here is the new promo for Season 2 of my monthly health show  "Healthy Hearts, Healthy Community" produced by Cary Medical Center and airing on WAGM-TV.

Shawn Cunningham Hosts First Miss Northeast Maine Pageant

Shawn Cunningham Hosts First Ever Miss Northeast Maine Pageant and Attends Sendoff for Miss Maine Collegiate America and Miss Maine High School America at Wintergreen Arts Center

(Saturday February 11th, 2012)--In addition to fundraising for Planet Head Day on Saturday...I busily rushed off to Presque Isle High School later that afternoon. I had the honor of hosting the Miss Northeast Maine Pageant. There were 41 outstanding contestants from Little Miss to Miss. Congrats to everyone who competed, it takes courage to get on stage. You're all winners for doing just that. Congrats to the young ladies who were crowned. And BIG CONGRATS to the director, Brittany Bearden will now be heading off to rep at the National Miss Collegiate America Pageant as well as Casey Bonville who will be competing simultaneously at Miss High School America.

There were sweet treats of all kinds...cake, cookies and candies and punch.



Here's Brittany and Casey's official sendoff cake.

 

Me and Miss Brittany, Miss Maine Collegiate America 2012.

 

Me and Miss Casey, Miss Maine High School America 2012.



Saturday Feb. 11th Fundraising for Planet Head Day Event and C.A.N.C.E.R.

Team WAGM Continue to Fundraise for Planet Head Day Event Happening on Saturday Feb. 18th





We had so many generous viewers come by to donate to our cause.



It was a GREAT day fundraising this past Saturday, Feb. 11th for our Team WAGM to help Planet Head Day Event and C.A.N.C.E.R.



Chris Weimer and I proudly representing Team WAGM. This experience has deepened our friendship and I''m so proud of his efforts of how to spread the word to further fundraise.



We even had teens and small kids come by to donate. The youth of the county truly are AMAZING and understand the meaning behind 'giving to help others.'



We also had a local official from the Marines come by and donate. We thank him for his service to our country...all our armed service men and women, but its amazing considering how much they've already given...and they come by to further help this local cause.

Chris and I had an awesome time meeting all our viewers at the Aroostook Centre Mall. The generosity of everyone who came by and donated from BOTH sides of the border. Thank you to everyone who came, donated, or just stopped by to say you support what we're doing. WE'RE so grateful. And if you weren't able to give today, PLEASE stop by our WAGM Planet Head Day facebook and feel free to donate that way. We're in the final week of fundraising as next weekend, THIS Saturday Feb. 18th is THE day. Chris will be shaving his head and having it painted. I will be donning a skull cap and having my head painted. All the proceeds stay in the county as part of Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery. Thanks to everyone for your donations, support and words of encouragement.

You know this has truly been a soul searching journey and one of true enightenment. There isn't anyone touched by cancer as Chris and I heard so many stories from all of you.

It makes this event a necessity and knowing all the proceeds are staying right here in Aroostook County, to help countybased patients with their treatment, travel to treatment, hospital stays, food and other necessities in their battle...SO WORTHWHILE. My heart goes out to those who are finding the strength and courage to battle this disease.

Team WAGM Planet Head Day Fundraiser...Its Great to Give

February 4th, 2012

TEAM WAGM Continue to Fundraise for Planet Head Day Event to benefit C.A.N.C.E.R.



Team WAGM (Shawn Cunningham and Chris Weimer)



Team WAGM (Shawn Cunningham and Chris Weimer) would like to thank everyone who came by and donated today to our cause to help raise funds for the upcoming Planet Head Day event at UMPI on Feb. 18th. The date is approaching fast and we're on our way of fundraising money that will go to help the local organization C.A.N.C.E.R. which stands for Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery.

This organization is unique and amazing in the fact that they started with just a small group of concerned volunteers wanting to make a difference in those dealing with the devastating effects of cancer in the local county community. There isn't anyone who isn't personally touched or doesn't know someone who is dealing with this debilitating disease. Cancer remains the number one chronic health issue affecting people in the U.S., and the world for that matter. Cancer is also a very expensive disease. Doctors visits, treatments and travel to seek treatment cost money. This organization helps offset the cost and burden for patients through donations that help with travel expenses, hospital and hotel stays, meals, etc. for people in need. This is one way a community can come together to effect change, change lives and live to make a difference in the lives of others. If by just painting my head and collecting donations is one way to help give something back to those in need...COUNT ON ME to be there. I'm pretty HEADSTRONG, so this actually works out well!





Thank you to our devoted viewers and fans who came out to meet us and donate to this amazing cause! You're the AMAZING ones.



A BIG thanks goes to Graves Shop and Save for giving us front store space to raise funds from patrons and they also contributed a GENEROUS donation. I will be having my head painted and our Chris Weimer is going the distance by having his head shaved. We're BOTH going the distance for this great cause. So you can say we're throwing our "heads" into the ring to help a worthy cause. Every donation is appreciated and is money well spent.



Team WAGM would like to thank Greg Graves for his support and generous donation. His Graves Shop and Save store staff and family are AMAZING!



And again, WAGM-TV will match what our team raises up to a certain amount. Oh my goodness, thank you to all the viewers who came by to see us today. We had such a great time meeting all of you. Thank you all for your continued support and if you didn't come by Graves today, its not too late. There are donation cannisters at the store and they'll be collecting on our behalf, ALSO we'll be at the Aroostook Centre Mall next weekend, Saturday Feb. 11th for another fundraising meet and greet. Feel free to catch us there. AND you can donate via our facebook page. PLUS, you can send funds in directly to the C.A.N.C.E.R. organization just contact WAGM for more information on how to do that and remember to sya you're supporting Team WAGM.

But EVERY dollar raised goes toward this great cause.



Shawn Cunningham, Proud Member of Team WAGM



OK....here are the pics from today's event. Thanks again to everyone who made it possible.
Blessings
Shawn Cunningham