Ron Belle
The American Heart Association has named Ronald Belle, president and CEO of AmeriCU Credit Union, as chairman of the 2023 Syracuse Heart Challenge. In this role, Belle is charged with a $500,000 fundraising goal to support the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association.
The American Heart Association’s Heart Challenge® is a suite of activities and initiatives designed to help companies positively impact employee overall health and well-being. The program is anchored in a series of customizable workplace events that inspires employees to be more engaged, reconnect with colleagues, get in their physical activity, support a great cause and have a lot of fun doing it.
“So many of us have personally been affected or know someone that has suffered heart disease and stroke,” said Belle. “It’s important to me to be a champion for better health and help give every person the opportunity for a longer, healthier life.”
The Syracuse Heart Challenge, now in its 39th year, will be held on Sunday, April 16th at SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College. The Heart Challenge unites the community in celebrating health and honoring survivors with a three mile walk around the Onondaga Community College campus.
The funds raised at all Heart Challenge events fund the mission of the American Heart Association to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives while supporting priority issues in Syracuse. Hypertension and nutrition security have been identified by the American Heart Association Syracuse board as priorities to propel work to support the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to health care access and quality.
“The Heart Challenge’s focus on improving teammates’ health and wellness means a lot to me,” said Belle. “Many of our teammates have told us personal stories about how they’ve benefited firsthand from some of the programs the American Heart Association has provided to AmeriCU over the years. I want to continue that. I want to provide the resources and knowledge they need to continue to live healthy lifestyles while inspiring others to do so, as well.”
To learn more about engaging your workforce in Heart Challenge events, or to join Ronald Belle and other area executives, visit www.SyracuseHeartWalk.org or contact Kristin Thompson Henry for more information.