Heart Walk at Hosmer Field on September 16

RUMFORD -- Nine teams have committed to walk in the American Heart Association Heart Walk on September 16.

They are Becky's Heart Beats, Franklin Savings Bank, Med-Care Ambulance, Oxford Federal Credit Union, Region 9, River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, Rumford Hospital, Rumford Power and Victorian Villa.

New teams are welcome. There have been teams as large as 60 walkers and one team had only one walker. It's not hard to put together a team. Just ask family and friends or co-workers to walk with you. Even raising money is not difficult. Many walkers simply write a personal check if they are uncomfortable asking others to donate. Team t-shirts can be ordered from Jarato's, where Heart Walk teams receive a discount.

The morning begins with breakfast, supplied by Hannaford, and registration at 8 a.m. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Walkers choose from one-mile, two-mile and four-mile routes. Route maps are available the morning of the walk. Some walkers simply walk around the track at Hosmer Field. Lunch from Subway is served after the walk.

Local Heart Walk sponsors are Franklin Savings Bank, Oxford Federal Credit Union, River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition, Rumford Hospital and Winderosa. Hannaford is a regional sponsor. National sponsors are Jenny Craig and Subway.

The MVHS cheerleaders and majorettes will be on hand to lead warm up exercises. There will be games and face painting for the kids. Exhibitors on the field include RSU 10's School Nutrition Director Jeanne LaPointe, Med-Care Ambulance and River Valley Healthy Communities. There will be two massage therapists there to give free massages.

Although dogs are no longer permitted on Hosmer Field, they will place a registration table just outside the gate for walkers who wish to bring their pets. There will be doggie goodie bags for all the furry walkers.

When you register on Sept. 16, be sure to buy a ticket for the raffle of a kayak, donated by Wall-Mart.