Plans are already being made for another successful charitableevent in Lincoln County.

Committees are forming and ideas are flowing in preparation forthe Heartwalk, a fun heart-healthy fundraiser for the AmericanHeart Association.

It will be held Nov. 3 at the Exchange Club Park. Organizershope their early preparation will help make the event just assuccessful as last year’s Heartwalk, which generated $54,000 forthe organization.

“I’m very enthusiastic about it. I’m looking forward to toppingour goal again,” said Erin Hall, who is co-chairing the event withJohn Davis.

They are joined by sponsorship chairpersons Donna McGehee andKim Richardson, teams chairman Kim Bridge, teams advisor DavidFields, survivor chairpersons Davis and Gladys Dunaway, logisticschairperson Nikki McGraw and communications chairperson Kim SasserWindmiller.

This year’s goal is set at $63,000 with 750 walkers, which is$11,000 and 130 more walkers than last year.

AHA representative Amanda Stringer believes Lincoln County willeasily surpass those numbers.

“This area has always done so well when it comes to beingexcited about raising money to help others,” she said.

During a committee meeting Friday, organizers agreed that thegoal would be met and were eager to begin talking with residentsand business owners about support the Heartwalk.

Funds will be raised through teams of walkers asking fordonations and sponsors participating in the event to show they wantto help fight any deadly diseases affecting the heart.

“We plan on seeing growth in the new teams and in oursponsorship,” said Tina Bancroft, vice president of AHA fieldservices.

Heartwalk organizers believe the key to a successful event willbe informing the public about how vital the funds can be for publiceducation programs and research efforts.

Cardiovascular disease is evident throughout Lincoln County, andit has also been the number one cause of death in the United Statefor over 10 years.

Every 33 seconds someone dies from cardiovascular disease,whether it be a heart attack, stroke or other complication.

The American Heart Association spends more than $100 million ayear in heart research, offering high blood pressure education andscreening, training and certifying CPR (cardiopulmonaryresuscitation) instructors, providing heart health education forschool age children and supplying informative literature andspeakers for meetings and schools.

Lincoln County residents who have been affected bycardiovascular disease play a special part in the Heartwalk assurvivors. Not only will they lead the walk with their red caps,but they will also receive other special recognition.

“We want to really honor the Red Caps because they are aninspiration and they are examples of why we are raising money,”said Stringer.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the Heartwalk maycontact any of the committee members.