Employees’ efforts raised morale and lifesavings funds through a very successful Virtual Heart Walk
People’s United Bank and American Heart Association held its first virtual heart walk and wellness challenge, which raised more than $30,000 in support of the American Heart Association (AHA), while promoting healthy behaviors among bank employees.
The American Heart Association’s Heart Walk has been one of the most popular annual awareness and fundraising campaigns among People’s United Bank employees. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented employees from coming together in-person to participate, it created a unique opportunity for employees to stay connected as a team in support of the AHA mission, while focusing on their personal health and wellness.
“The American Heart Association is an organization that has been instrumental in providing support and resources during this health crisis. This includes meeting the needs of healthcare workers, investing in research, and ensuring that under-resourced community needs are met, such as providing access to healthcare, financial support, and healthy food. People’s United Bank is proud to support their work, and we appreciate their partnership in creating a meaningful initiative to keep employees engaged around a cause that they are passionate about,” stated Jeffrey Tengel, President of People’s United Bank.
The two-week health challenge engaged over 800 employees, served as a great team building opportunity and generated some friendly competition that helped to build employee morale during these challenging times. Employees raised a record amount in donations in support of the American Heart Association’s life-saving work and helped to expand awareness about the nation’s two leading causes of death – heart disease and stroke.
Survivors of heart disease and stroke participated in the People’s United Bank “walk where you are” event. “As a heart attack survivor, I’m proud to work for an organization that is involved with the American Heart Association,” said People’s United Bank employee, Lisa Willauer. “Their research is critically important to finding a cure for people like me and my family. I was a perfectly healthy 50-year-old woman and had no prior warning signs what-so-ever. The cause of the heart attack- congenital heart defect that I knew nothing about. I’ve been involved in the Heart Walk every year since. This year’s virtual walk was rewarding, and the camaraderie was wonderful. I look forward to life and next year’s walk!”
AHA also led virtual workshops, resulting in close to 350 employees being trained in Hands-Only CPR and learning how to locate and use an external defibrillator (AED) device.
Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States, and about 70% of them occur in the home. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double, or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.
“We are thankful for the support of People’s United Bank and its employees for learning these life-saving skills and raising funds that will help to transform and save lives across our communities,” said AHA Hartford Heart Walk Director, Bill Lee. “People’s United Bank employees created meaningful momentum that is inspiring other organizations and community teams to join our 2020 Heart Walks and focus on heart healthy.”
The funds raised from the Heart Walk will go towards research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health. To find a Heart Walk near you visit www.heart.org, or visit heart.org to learn more.