By A.J. KING

ajk012@latech.edu

 

Hearts will be pumping at the American Heart Association Heart Walk at 9 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Thomas Assembly Center.

The Heart Walk is a fund-raising event promoting physical activity and healthy hearts all across America.

Janie Walker, Tech’s team leader for the heart walk and administrative assistant of the University Foundation, said, “We’re trying to help raise money to find a cure for heart disease and stroke.”

Walker encouraged people to get involved. She said organizations, faculty, staff and students are welcome to sign up.

“You can sign up anytime and as late as the day of the walk,” Walker said.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. the day of the walk.

Amanda Farris, president of Phi Mu and a junior medical technologies major, said Phi Mu is going to have a big showing at the walk.

“We got a positive response when we said we were going to participate,” Farris said. “The main thing we want to accomplish is to make the community and campus aware of the heart walk.”

“It’s important because we really need to give back to those who need it,” Farris said.

Holly McKay, team leader for Phi Mu and a junior speech pathology major, agreed with Farris.

“We want to be involved in things around the community,” McKay said.

“Every sorority tries to get involved in the community.”

McKay also said Phi Mu has around 30 to 40 women walking.

“We’re trying to get as many people as we can to participate. Some [alumnae] are going to walk with us,” McKay said.

For those interested in contributing to the American Heart Association cause but are unable to walk, paper hearts are on sale at the Tech Bookstore for $1 each, the proceeds going to the American Heart Association.

Colleen Durrett, operation manager of the bookstore, said the bookstore sells the hearts every year and will continue to sell hearts this year until Wednesday.

“This is our third year to sell them,” Durrett said. “All of [the proceeds] go to the heart association.”

Durrett also said there will be a drawing Wednesday from the names and numbers people wrote on the back of the hearts they bought.

“One of [the prizes] is Dr. Reneau’s parking space for the day,” Durrett said.

She also said a $25 gift certificate donated from the bookstore was among the prizes.

Those interested can find more information, as well as donate or sign up to walk with Tech’s team, at the Web site www.latechalumni.org/heartwalk.