Fayette County residents support AHA
Hundreds of Fayette County residents came out Saturday morning to support the American Heart Association (AHA) by participating in the annual Heart Walk at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Officials with the AHA said it was the most successful heart walk the county has ever participated in and said about $100,000 was raised.
Frank Kula, co-chairperson of the local event, said this year’s goal was $100,000. Last year $75,000 was raised, he said.
Although all the money had yet to be counted as of Saturday evening, Kula said he expects walkers raised more than enough money to meet, and even exceed the $100,000 goal.
He said there were 51 walking teams and said 600 walkers participated in the event, which is held every year, rain or shine. However, he said the weather cooperated this year and said he thinks that is why the turnout was so high.
Participants raise money by asking family members, friends and co-workers for a flat donation for walking the course, which is approximately three miles, with all of the money going to the AHA.
The AHA claims 927,000 Americans die each year from cardiovascular disease.
One million walkers are expected to participate in more than 600 events across the country this year, according to a press release from the association.
The money raised is used to combat cardiovascular diseases and promote physical fitness activity, and Kula said 75 percent of the money raised by Fayette County residents will stay in the area.