Hundreds walk to raise funds at Heart Walk.

More than 200 walkers turned out at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area in Reading on Sunday, Sept. 25 for the Berks County Heart Walk.

The walk aims to raise funds and awareness to support the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s mission to fight heart disease and stroke, the na- tion’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. The Berks County Heart Walk and Lehigh Valley Heart Walk, held Sept. 18 at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, raised a combined $243,000 toward the goal of $325,000 and the total is expected to climb as additional donations are collected after the event.

Heart Walk participants had the opportunity to learn Hands-Only CPR, pick up important health information, decorate a torch in honor of a loved one affected by heart disease or stroke to carry during the walk, or enjoy fun activities for kids prior to the opening ceremonies. After taking a moment to honor those who have been touched by heart disease and stroke, workplace and community teams from across Berks County took off on the non- competi- tive 2-mile fitness walk through Gring’s Mill Recreation Area.

The Heart Walk is a family-friendly event to promote the importance of physical activity for heart health and raise funds to support the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. Dollars raised by the American Heart Association through events like the Heart Walk fund cardiovascular disease and stroke research, as well as public and professional programs and advocacy.

The Heart Walk is sponsored nationally by Subway and sponsored locally by Easton Hospital. Additional support is provided by General Supply Company, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Health- South Reading Rehabilitation Hospital, Air Products and Chemicals, Lutron Electronics, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of American, B. Braun Medical Inc., Lafayette Ambassador Bank, FLSmidth and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital.

nformation about the Berks County Heart Walk, visit www. heart.org/ lehighberkswalk or call 614396-3503.