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Heart And Stroke Walk Raises Nearly $300,000
HEART WALK
Participants in the 209 Heart Walk hosted at UOP in Stockton, shown here, were instrumental in helping raise close to $300,000 for programs and services offered locally through the American Heart Association. Photo Contributed

The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, reunited the 209 community in health at its premier annual event. This year’s 209 Heart and Stroke Walk encouraged participants to boost physical and mental health through healthy habits while supporting the organization’s lifesaving mission. The 209 Heart and Stroke Walk was sponsored by local Healthy for Good sponsors Adventist Health Lodi Memorial and Dameron Hospital and local Hard Hats with Heart sponsor Collins Electric Company, Inc.

The 2021 Heart and Stroke Walk raised nearly $300,000, a banner year for the campaign. A highlight of the 2021 Walk was the $110,000 total impact, the largest in the event’s history, by Collins Electrical Company, Inc., through sponsorship, a company match for employee fundraising, and inviting their customers and suppliers to support their efforts.

“The past year has shown us that no matter where we are, we can come together for a common cause,” said 2021 Heart and Stroke Walk Chair Brian Gini, Co-CEO of Collins Electrical Company, Inc. “The Heart and Stroke Walk is all about promoting the health and well-being of our workforces and overall community while supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association.”

Ball Metalpack, Sutter Health, and Collins Electrical Company, Inc.’s Marina Branch are recognized as Top Fundraising Corporate Teams for raising over $10,000 each. Other Heart and Stroke Walk teams that made standout fundraising efforts include Jacob’s Heart led by Nicole and Joel Snyder; Dr. Kathy Hart; and San Joaquin General Hospital.

The funds raised from the 209 Heart Walk go towards research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health in support of the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, reducing barriers to health care access and quality.

This year’s theme, Heart Walk Here, invited participants to walk on the event path at the University of the Pacific in Stockton or on a path of their own to create maximum flexibility for participants. Walkers were encouraged to share how they got moving on social media using the hashtag #209HasHeart.

The 209 Heart and Stroke Walk is the signature event of the American Heart Association’s Heart Challenge program which is designed to help companies positively impact employee overall health and wellbeing. The platform is anchored in a series of customizable workplace events and programs that inspire 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.

Within Heart Challenge, organizations can participate in the American Heart Association’s Workforce Health Solutions program which offers a suite of science-based, evidence-informed tools and services to help build and maximize an effective workplace culture of health. This year, the American Heart Association was proud to recognize the following local organizations who have joined the Healthy 209 Initiative and are participating in Workforce Health Solutions, locally sponsored by Adventist Health Lodi Memorial and Dameron Hospitals.

Honored were: Adventist Health Lodi Memorial; City of Lodi Fire Department; Child Abuse Prevention Council; Collins Electrical Company, Inc.; Community Center for the Blind; Haggin Museum; Hill Physicians Medical Group; Kaiser Permanente; Levi’s; San Joaquin Regional Transit District; Sanborn Chevrolet; The Save Mart Companies; Stockton Ports; Trinchero Family Estates; WhisperKOOL; Yosemite Pathology Medical Group.

To learn more about the 209 Heart and Stroke Walk visit heart.org/209heartwalks. To learn how the American Heart Association is creating a culture of health and wellness in the 209 visit heart.org/stockton.

The American Heart Association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, the Association funds innovative research, advocates for the public’s health and shares lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with them on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.