Hundreds of people from across the North Country came together today to fight our nation’s number one and number five killers: heart disease and stroke.
The 23rd annual North Country Heart Walk drew a crowd of more than one thousand fundraising walkers at Jefferson Community College on Saturday, April 29th. Activities inside the arena included healthy demonstrations, physical activities for kids, entertainment, and a survivor ceremony honoring heart disease and stroke survivors.
Participants helped raise more than $228,000 at the 2017 North Country Heart Walk. Heartfelt thanks and congratulations go to all of the sponsors, teams and individuals that helped the American Heart Association work toward its mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
The co-chairmen of the 2017 North Country Heart Walk were David Daily, of Herzig Convenience Stores, and Paul Levos, of United Food Service Operators. Both leaders commended the community. “Your participation in the Heart Walk is making a big impact on heart disease and stroke right here in the North Country,” said Daily. “From groundbreaking medical research to saving lives, to education and advocacy programs that help keep people healthy, your support of the American Heart Association is helping people live longer and healthier lives.”
“We are both overwhelmed by the generosity of the North Country, and it has been our pleasure to be a part of this event,” said Levos. “This community is why the North Country Heart Walk is such a great experience.
Local sponsors of the North Country Heart Walk include Herzig Convenience Stores; United Food Service Operators; Kinney Drugs Foundation; Carthage Area Hospital; AmeriCU Credit Union; Knowlton Technologies; Steve Weed Productions; Stebbins Engineering & Manufacturing; Bernier Carr; Carthage Savings & Loan Association; Community Bank, NA; Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield; Hilton Garden Inn; Pala Wood Services; Purcell Construction Corp.; Washington Summit; Watertown Savings Bank; and Westelcom. Media sponsors are Stephens Media Group, Watertown Daily Times, and WWNY-TV/WNYF/Me-TV.
The Heart Walk is sponsored nationally by SUBWAY® Restaurants. Local franchisees Rick Allen, Kurt Gehrke, David Lebous, Christian Phinney, John Stuart Greene, Martin Timmerman, Jen Wilkerson, and the Sunoco C-Store generously donated approximately 1,100 sandwiches for the event.
If you were not able to participate in the event but would still like to support the American Heart Association, you can donate at www.NorthCountryHeartWalk.org.