L.L. Bean President and CEO Steve Smith
The Southern Maine Heart Walk, which is the largest fundraising event for the American Heart Association in Maine, is scheduled for May 19, 2019 in Portland. In addition to a choice of a 1-mile or 5K walk, the event will also feature a timed 5K run.
Steve Smith, President and CEO of L.L. Bean, has stepped up to lead the 2019 Heart Walk. Smith and his committee have set a goal to raise $450,000 through corporate donations and walk teams.
“My father had heart disease and I experienced first-hand the impact on him and our family,” said Smith. “I truly believe in the mission of the American Heart Association and their impact has been amazing – funding research, treatments and solutions that are helping to improve lives every day. When the opportunity arose to support the Southern Maine Heart Walk, I jumped at the chance to contribute personally to the effort.”
Dollars raised at the Heart Walk will fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat heart disease and stroke. The Association is the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health. Currently, the Association funds over $1.3 million in cardiovascular research at Maine institutions.
The event will begin with a celebratory kick-off at 8:30 AM at AAA of Northern New England’s parking lot, hosted by Channel 8 WMTW’s Tracy Sabol and WPOR FM’s Courtney Ross. Activities will include Hands-Only CPR demonstrations, a survivor speaker, stroke prevention information, and educational exhibits aimed at inspiring people to improve their health. The Kids Zone will feature a face painter, balloon artist and juggler. Participants will then embark on a walk or a timed 5K run around Back Cove before coming back to the celebration area.
Smith’s Executive Leadership Team includes: Michael Chamberlain, TD Bank; Jeanine Chesley, New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland; Kelly David, Spectrum Healthcare Partners; Christine Haslam, Aetna; Robert Hatem, Hannaford Supermarkets; Andy Mayo, L.L. Bean; Doug Sawyer, Maine Medical Center; Scott Tompkins, PC Construction; and Linda Whitten, AAA of Northern New England.
For more information and to register on-line for the walk or 5K run, visit SouthernMaineHeartWalk.org. You may also call Shelly Afthim at (207) 289-2384 or e-mail her at [email protected].