Hike Day September 19, 2009.
Our 2009 Hike was another wonderful success!
September 24, 2009
Dear Friends:
Thanks so much for supporting Alyssa's 5th Annual Hike for the Hearts. We so appreciate you. If you were unable to come to the Hike and would still like to donate, you may do that anytime. Following is a report from this year's event. Look forward to sharing our next hike with you. Again, thanks.
We estimated the attendance to be between 425-450. We followed the same format we have had for the past 4 years with opening comments and prayer by Pastor Paul Sartarelli from The Chapel; Hike began at 10:15; food served at 11 (Starbucks Coffee, Main St Muffins; Subs from Subway, Tuscany Pastas and garlic bread from Pizza Hut; Tossed salad from Outback Steakhouse; fresh fruit from Caito Produce; Pretzels from Shearer's; Cookies from Eat 'n Park donated by one of our committee members; water donated from Summa; punch from McDonald's and Rita's Ice of Cuyahoga Falls) We are VERY grateful for all of this.
Following the lunch, the raffle and silent auction took place. There were over 70 baskets to be raffled and 7 silent auction items. The event ended around 1:15 with everyone saying they enjoyed it, had a good time and will come back next year.
This year we have raised $26,045.84. We never really set a goal, but over the last five years close to $100,000 has been raised.
"Alyssa's Hike for the Heart" Night at Chick-Fil-A on Dressler Rd in Canton went very well. Three baskets were raffled off and there was a wheel to spin for prizes. Donations there came to around $525 and according to Manager Doug Pugh, this will also be an annual event...for which we are also grateful.
The most important part of the event was to hear of the results of the Hike the past years:
- Dr. Gerard Boyle, Head of Pediatric Cardiology at Children's Hospital at Cleveland Clinic submitted a report of the progress being made in early diagnosis of viral myocarditis...(You can read this letter in its entirety at www.alyssashike.org) They are also working on developing a research project that targets risk factors for developing the disease in pediatric patients. We are excited to hear about this and about the progress. This venue, of course, addresses the physical heart.
- Mike Landis, director of Camp Carl in Ravenna, OH, also reported this year that since the inception of Alyssa's Hike for the Hearts, not one child has been turned away from attending camp there due to lack of funds. That thrills us as a family. There were several attending this year who mentioned how much this event means to them and how very important they felt it was to continue it. So, yes, we will and are grateful to you -our friends, our community, and others whom also believe in this event...also to Alyssa and to God.
To view pictures of this years hike click on the word "Hike Pictures" below and it will take you to a folder containing the images.
Thank you for your support of this very important cause and for positively impacting the lives of children and their families.
Steve & Sarah Calaway
Alyssa's Mom and Dad
