Findlay-supported Heart & Stroke Walk/Run draws thousands

The 25th annual American Heart &Stroke Walk/Run on Nov. 5 produced a colorful gathering in downtown Las Vegas, drawing thousands, including heavy involvement from employees of Findlay Automotive Group.

Findlay Automotive Group Chief Finance Officer Tyler Corder kicked off the company’s involvement in September with a $10,000 check to the American Heart Association.

Other Findlay executives participating in the Heart &Stroke event included Findlay VW General Manager Doug Fleming, IT Director John Steffy, Chief Accounting Officer Chad Leavitt, Internet Marketing Director Jeff Giles and Controller Terry Stockdale.

With heart issues and strokes continuing to plague young and old, the concerns remain at the forefront of the Walk/Run, which started at UNLV years ago before finding its way to downtown Las Vegas. The latest event was one of the best-ever, drawing a crowd of about 5,000 that included everyone from infants in strollers to senior citizens.

The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s premier event for raising funds to save lives from this country’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers — heart disease and stroke. Designed to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living, the Heart Walk creates an environment that’s fun and rewarding for the entire family.

Heart and Stroke Walk/Run communications and marketing director Jennifer Merback said the event was a great success.

“We had an incredible turnout of passionate people who took steps to build a heart-healthy community,” she said. “This year we had a superhero theme because survivors of heart disease are superheroes. There are more than 354 Heart Walks across the country and the Heart Walk in Las Vegas is right up there with the best of them.”

Longtime supporter and five-time heart surgery patient Melanie Baldwin said the event produced incredible energy.

“It was a beautiful day for a walk although it was a little on the warm side,” Baldwin said. “It was so great to see the Findlay mile markers on the course. We were able to track our progress and check out the cool cars at the same time.”