Volunteers Rally to Support American Heart Association

Marist College welcomed volunteers from over 50 local companies and organizations for the American Heart Association’s (AHA) annual Heart Walk volunteer rally and kickoff event.

Vince Amodeo, Business Banking Regional Manager at M&T Bank for the Hudson Valley, will serve as Heart Walk chair for 2017 Heart Walk. The event is the American Heart Association’s biggest annual fund raiser.img_6855

Amodeo encouraged volunteers, team leaders, businesses and community leaders to sponsor and form teams to join the Heart Walk. Two events will be held locally. The Dutchess Heart Walk will be held on March 25th at a new location, Marist College, and the Ulster event is set for April 2nd at SUNY New Paltz. Registration online at www.dutchessulsterheartwalk.org.img_6864

“I know my support of the Heart Walk will insure that the AHA’s good work continues and by walking, I will be creating a healthier me and a healthier community,” said Amodeo, “Residents can join the Heart Walk to support a family member or friend, or for their own hearts. Every step, every dollar raised helps the American Heart Association’s mission.”

According to the AHA, walking briskly can lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes as much as running. Adults need 30 minutes of physical activity per day, at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week for heart health. Kids need 60 minutes daily.

img_6883Madison Dallies & Matthew Burchell are serving as the 2017 Heart Walk Youth Honorees – both are survivors from congenital heart defects.

Events like the Heart Walk fund the AHA’s critical research and awareness programs that help save lives from cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and stroke – the number one and five killers in the U.S. Thanks to progress made in awareness, early intervention and research, stroke has moved from the #3 killer to the #5 killer in recent years.

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L to R: Vince Amodeo, Heart Walk Chair, Beth Christy, Townsquare Media, David Ping, Health Quest, AHA Board Chair with youth honorees Madison & Matthew

Companies interested in supporting the Heart Walk with sponsorship or teams should call Jaclyn Renner, Event Director, at the American Heart Association at (845) 867-5378 or by email [email protected]. Event info and registration for teams and individuals is online at www.dutchessulsterheartwalk.org.

Health Quest is the 2017 “My Heart, My Life” sponsor. M& T Bank will be Tribute Wall sponsor. Rondout Savings bank is the Ulster County CPR in school’s  sponsor. Other Local Sponsors for this year’s event are: Adams Fairacre Farms, Laerdal Medical, UnitedHealthcare, Ellenville Regional Hospital, Marshall & Sterling and Premier Medical Group. Media sponsors include Townsquare Media, Mix 97.7, Southern Dutchess News and Hudson Valley Magazine.

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