Staff Team Raises Most Heart Walk Funds

SHSU President Jim Gaertner presents a plaque to team captain Debbie Birdwell to recognize the efforts of the university's Staff Heart Walk Team who raised the most money for the Walker County Heart Walk held last month.

The team collected over $3,000 of the total amount raised, which was $19,750.

Several individuals and groups associated with the university donated time and services for the walk and organized teams. Nancy Gaertner, wife of SHSU President Jim Gaertner, served as the campus chairperson. On the day of the event, students from the university's health and kinesiology programs worked as marshals, set up and staffed information tables, walked, and cleaned up afterwards.

Tokishia and Mario Garza of the SHSU Sociology Club prepared breakfast before the event for volunteers. Local teenagers who are members of the Texas Workforce Commission Youth Program and are mentored by the Sociology Club prepared "goodie bags" and served as volunteer assistants for the walk.

The Walker County Heart Walk kicked off at Bowers Stadium and offered a two-mile route and a four-mile route through campus and along Bearkat Blvd. Water was distributed to walkers along the way.

Members of the SHSU Staff Heart Walk Team included Debbie Birdwell (captain), Donna Artho, Donna Ashworth, Sandy Baker, Dayna Birdwell, Norma Buxkemper, Augusta Callaway, Mandy Carrell, Elfreda D'Cunha, Robert Dunning, Tammy Gray, Jacque Gilliam, Marilyn Harper, Karen Hlozek, Debra Holl, Phyllis Kennedy, Julia May, Charles McDowell, Margaret Quarles, Nadine Pharries, Carol Reinke, Teresa Ringo, Carol Shaw, Sherry Tate, Jamie Tillerson, Joellen Tipton and Beverly Wiggins.

The American Heart Walk is a non-competitive walking event that is held every year in communities across the nation. Participants raise money to fight heart disease and stroke, and walk in the event.

- END -

SHSU Media Contact: Julia May
Dec. 18, 2001
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu