American Heart Association Tri-County Heart Walk set for Sept. 17

Photo

ROBERT K. YOSAY | THE VINDICATOR Final plans are being made for the 2016 American Heart Association Tri-County Heart Walk on Sept. 17 at Youngstown State University’s WATTS center. Volunteers and participants preparing for the walk, from left, are Thomas John, a WHOT broadcaster and 30-year volunteer for the walk; Kevin Helmick, president and chief executive officer of Farmers National Bank Corp. and event chairman; Helmick’s son, Preston, the 2016 Heart Child; Helmick’s son Spencer; Amie Helmick, his wife; and Lauren Wood and Rich Morgan of WKBN-TV 27, a media sponsor for the event.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The 2016 American Heart Association Tri-County Heart Walk is set for Sept. 17 at Youngstown State University’s WATTS indoor track and field facility, 651 Elm St. Registration and activities begin at 9 a.m. and the walk will commence at 10.

Kevin Helmick, president and chief executive officer of Farmers National Bank Corp., will serve as the chairman of the event and is coordinating fundraising efforts and corporate involvement. His leadership will rally team leaders and volunteers to raise funds to benefit heart disease and stroke research and education. Helmick’s 5-year-old son, Preston, is a survivor of a congenital heart defect and was named 2016 Heart Child.

The heart walk is part of the AHA’s health, wellness and fitness efforts. Moderate physical activity like walking can offer health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, increasing HDL or good cholesterol and weight control. The association’s goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent and reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent by the year 2020.

The walk’s national sponsor is Subway. Local sponsors include signature sponsor Farmers National Bank/Farmers Trust Co., Mercy Health, AVI Food Systems, Lewis Construction, Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, Cortland Bank, Seven Seventeen Credit Union and ValleyCare Health System of Ohio. Media sponsors include The Vindicator, WKBN-TV 27, iHeartMedia and Armstrong Cable.

Individuals and teams are encouraged to participate in the walk. Contact Brian Duchon for registration and sponsorship information at 330-318-1002 or brian.duchon@heart.org, or visit www.heart.org/youngstownwalk.