Heart Walk Teams Take Off at Tyson
by February 2, 2004 12:00 am 161 views
Randy Smith, the vice president of marketing and sales for food service at Tyson Foods Inc., recently addressed team captains from more than 40 local companies who plan to participate on April 3 in the American Heart Association’s 2004 Northwest Arkansas Heart Walk. The corporate team leaders met Jan. 28 at Tyson Foods’ corporate headquarters in Johnson.
The walk is being presented by Arvest Bank Group Inc. and has a lengthy list of corporate participants including Tyson Foods, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Baekart Corp., the University of Arkansas and P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc.
Smith told participants how Tyson Foods raised $17,000 in one day last year, and he shared a poignant story about a family member who recently had heart surgery.
“Most of our team captains and walkers have amazing stories to share,” said Cindy Hudlow, the AHA’s local director.
Tyson Foods was last year’s top Heart Walk fundraiser at $41,000 (not counting corporate sponsorships) followed by Wal-Mart with more than $13,000. The 2003 event raised $184,000 and the walk is shooting for $210,000 this year.