VALDOSTA — Participants in the American Heart Association’s “Start! Heart Walk” gathered in McKey Park Thursday for an evening of fun, capped by a 5K walk around the park to promote heart healthy habits and behavior. The annual event raises funds to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, said Josh Reinholt, AHA regional director.
Last year, over 1 million walkers raised more than $106 million in 425 Start! Heart Walks across the country, according to the AHA. Reinholt said participation this year was good and he expects the final tally will show a significant amount of money raised.
“We had a lot of good volunteers. I don’t have a number on how much money was raised yet but it’s a considerable amount,” he said.
Reinholt said he wants people to know that fund-raising efforts will continue and that there are still opportunities for those who want to donate to do that. He said their fundraising campaign is a grassroots effort, with 80 percent of all donations coming from private contributions and through the efforts of volunteers. Only 20 percent comes from corporate sponsors, he said.
To those who didn’t know it was a fund-raiser, the event might have seemed more like a fall rock concert in the park. Red, white and blue balloons lent their ebullience to the festivities. Before the 5K walk began, the crowd enjoyed the music of Jackrabbit Slim. Kids danced, bounced in bounce houses and had their faces painted. The sun was setting, the evening was cool, the air refreshing.
“What we’re trying to do is find more creative ways to keep people active and make it more convenient for them,” Reinholt said. “If it’s not convenient, they won’t do it.”
Reinholt said participants in last year’s Heart Walk walked around the park instead of the middle school track because the track was being resurfaced, and they decided they liked it better, so the practice was
Three tent villages with red, white and blue information stations were set up to celebrate survivorship, foster hope by bringing together people with similar experiences, to pay tribute to loved ones, inspire participants to make changes in their daily behavior that reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke, and to highlight the successful fund-raising efforts of individuals and companies.
Each day, nearly 2,400 Americans die from a cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. That’s an average of one death every 37 seconds. A leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke is lack of physical activity.
“People should know that it’s never too late to start down a healthier path,” said Lorie Strange, marketing and communications director for the Greater Southeast Affiliate, American Heart/Stroke Association, in a press release.
For more information, call the American heart Association at (850)878-3885 or visit walk.americanheart.org.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Participants in the American Heart Association Heart Walk cross the starting line at McKey Park Thursday. Jonathan Chick
-
Staff Sargeant Gary Magnelli registers at the American Heart Association Heart Walk Thursday. Jonathan Chick
Discussion
Walking for the heart
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
-
Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide
Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.
-
Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year
Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.” -
VPD offers online citation payment
The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.
- More Local News Headlines
-
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
