from staff
The local American Heart Association recently announced the fundraising results of the Sept. 15 Heart Walk. Corporations and residents collected over $750,000 for cardiovascular research, with over 7,000 walkers participating. Champions were awarded Tuesday night at Plaza III The Steakhouse.
The First Coast had the 8th highest fundraiser in the country. Clarence Gooden of the CSX Corporation raised over $60,000 towards the mission of the Heart Association. Other top walkers who raised between $5,000 - $9,999 included Bob Ledoux of CSX, Julie DiPianta of UF & Shands, Rashmeet Sangari of Vistakon and Jefferey Friederich of Winn Dixie.
The 2007 Best New Company Award went to Cox Radio, which donated thousands of dollars in air time and also engaged their employees and listeners in a Heart Walk fundraising competition. Cox Radio and its five local radio stations won a total of five awards for their efforts.
Companies and organizations achieving their goal this year included UF & Shands, Brooks Health, Key Buick, Mercantile Bank, Baptist Health, Cox Radio, AXIA PR, Washington Mutual, ADT Security Systems and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The MPS Group won for the best Heart Walk T-shirt.