By Jeff Murphy,
September 29, 2015
WARRENSBURG, MO – Providing a park-like setting, the University of Central Missouri
will host the annual Johnson County Heart Walk for the third consecutive year Saturday,
Oct. 3. The annual event is expected to bring over 500 walkers to campus to raise
funds to assist in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
The 2015 Johnson County Heart Walk is being planned by a committee of local residents
who are working directly with the American Heart Association. With the walk ceremony
beginning at 9 a.m., participants are expected to begin arriving around 8 a.m. for
a family-friendly morning that will include activities for children, sponsor booths,
and heart information. All activities begin on the west side of the Student Recreation
and Wellness Center.
The committee planning the event has set a goal to raise $75,000, having raised more
than $50,000 during last year’s event. To help achieve the fundraising goal, contributions
have been made by local corporate sponsors, various teams of individuals and others
who want to contribute in the fight against one of the nation’s leading health concerns.
Amanda Avent, a Warrensburg resident and UCM graduate who serves as Corporate Events
Director for the American Heart Association, noted that the Heart Walk is taking place
at the same time as the annual Family Weekend at UCM. Although the Heart Walk is not
a formal part of those festivities, families who visit campus on Heart Walk Saturday
will have an opportunity to witness the strong support community members provide to
fight cardiovascular disease, which impacts many lives.
“We’re pleased that UCM has allowed us to hold our annual Heart Walk on campus again
this year, especially since this is Family Weekend. We believe it is a great opportunity
for the families of our students to see how dedicated Warrensburg, its businesses,
and residents are to improving the health of their community, which includes every
student on campus,” Avent said. “We have amazing sponsors who believe in the American
Heart Association’s mission and our passion to ‘Get 1 Done!’ We no longer want to
be the #1 killer of Americans, and with support for events like the Johnson County
Heart Walk we will see our efforts make an impact and move the needle.”
The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated
to defeating heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Its mission
is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Individuals who want to learn more about the Johnson County Heart Walk are urged to
visit the website, www.johnsoncountyheartwalk.org. They also can contact Avent for
more information at 660-441-0090 or email amanda.avent@heart.org.
