Paint the Town Red Raised Record for AHA
by February 13, 2006 12:00 am 59 views
The sixth annual Paint the Town Red event raised $66,197, which was 38 percent more than 2005’s total of $47,725. The fund-raiser, held Jan. 20, benefited the American Heart Association. The total surpassed the association’s goal of $56,000, said Elizabeth Moore, regional director of AHA.
Cardiovascular disease is the largest killer among males and females in the U.S., according to the AHA Web site. Every 35 seconds, one American will die from CVD.
One of the ways to prevent heart disease is exercise, said Jenny Robertson, director of the AHA’s Northwest Arkansas Heart Walk, which will take place April 1. Last year about 2,000 people participated, she said. This year the association’s goal is 3,000.
“Nationally, the Heart Walk is the association’s biggest event,” Robertson said. “Locally, it continues to grow.”
Last year, the event raised $302,000 and has a goal of $320,000 this year, Robertson said.
Some of the sponsors for the event are Northwest Health System, Arvest Bank, Tyson Foods Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Sam’s Club.