2008 Woodie Awards
Heart walk has record year in participants, funds raised
Andy Myers Ranger Reporter
Issue date: 10/13/05 Section: Front Page
Wow, what an exciting time at the American Heart Association's Heart Walk 2005 at Medical Center Park Oct. 1.
Several teams with different, vibrantly colored T-shirts of blue, green, yellow, red and white participated.
This year was record-setting for the AHA both in the number of walkers and in donations.
The three-mile walk started in front of the Discovery Center, and people walked around the Medical Park south lake.
Each time around was a mile. The event had several sponsors, and the main sponsor was Northwest Texas Heart Hospital, which donated $15,000 and raised $15,000 more from employees.
Other sponsors donated another $38,000.
Last year, $43,000 was donated. At the time of this year's walk, more than $60,000 had been raised and they still were counting.
The goal for this year is $100,000. Other sponsors included Amarillo National Bank, BSA, Subway, Amarillo College and the Amarillo Globe-News.
Two radio stations were represented at the event: KGNC-FM, 97.9, and Mix 94.1. KGNC had a $5 raffle for a trip to Las Vegas, including airfare and hotel accommodations.
"I am with the city of Amarillo and here to support the Heart Association," Terri Robertson said.
Red and white balloons were released in a ceremony before the walk started.
The red balloons were for survivors, and the white ones were in memory of someone who had lost their battle.
White signs were on the backs of walkers to pay tribute to someone who had lost their life, who was enduring the battle and for those who beat it.
Fruit and water were served before the walk, and Subway sandwiches were served for lunch when the walk was over.
To participate, each walker needed to raise at least $100.
"I am here to support the city of Amarillo," said firefighter Doug Bivens. "I raised my $100, and I'm ready to walk."
Teams included BSA, NWTH, Amarillo National Bank and Stewart Title.
"We are just happy to be here," said Trisha Golden.
Since 1924, the AHA has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the damage of heart disease and stroke.
Those diseases, the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim more than 949,000 American lives each year.
According to the AHA, more than 150 Texans die from cardiovascular disease and stroke each day.
The association invested more than $364.3 million in 2003-04 for research, professional and public education and awareness.
Just 30 minutes a day of physical activity can lead to a stronger, healthier body.
The Amarillo/Canyon AHA branch can be contacted at 457-0090.
Several teams with different, vibrantly colored T-shirts of blue, green, yellow, red and white participated.
This year was record-setting for the AHA both in the number of walkers and in donations.
The three-mile walk started in front of the Discovery Center, and people walked around the Medical Park south lake.
Each time around was a mile. The event had several sponsors, and the main sponsor was Northwest Texas Heart Hospital, which donated $15,000 and raised $15,000 more from employees.
Other sponsors donated another $38,000.
Last year, $43,000 was donated. At the time of this year's walk, more than $60,000 had been raised and they still were counting.
The goal for this year is $100,000. Other sponsors included Amarillo National Bank, BSA, Subway, Amarillo College and the Amarillo Globe-News.
Two radio stations were represented at the event: KGNC-FM, 97.9, and Mix 94.1. KGNC had a $5 raffle for a trip to Las Vegas, including airfare and hotel accommodations.
"I am with the city of Amarillo and here to support the Heart Association," Terri Robertson said.
Red and white balloons were released in a ceremony before the walk started.
The red balloons were for survivors, and the white ones were in memory of someone who had lost their battle.
White signs were on the backs of walkers to pay tribute to someone who had lost their life, who was enduring the battle and for those who beat it.
Fruit and water were served before the walk, and Subway sandwiches were served for lunch when the walk was over.
To participate, each walker needed to raise at least $100.
"I am here to support the city of Amarillo," said firefighter Doug Bivens. "I raised my $100, and I'm ready to walk."
Teams included BSA, NWTH, Amarillo National Bank and Stewart Title.
"We are just happy to be here," said Trisha Golden.
Since 1924, the AHA has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the damage of heart disease and stroke.
Those diseases, the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, claim more than 949,000 American lives each year.
According to the AHA, more than 150 Texans die from cardiovascular disease and stroke each day.
The association invested more than $364.3 million in 2003-04 for research, professional and public education and awareness.
Just 30 minutes a day of physical activity can lead to a stronger, healthier body.
The Amarillo/Canyon AHA branch can be contacted at 457-0090.