American Heart Association Fundraiser Set for Oct. 14

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. On Saturday, Oct. 14, while Grand Rapids Griffins players prepare for that nights home opener against Omaha, the teams lovable mascot Griff will stroll the streets of downtown during the American Heart Associations 2006 Grand Rapids Heart Walk.

The two-mile walk, which begins at Van Andel Arena at 8:30 a.m., will raise funds for the associations research and educational efforts. Griffins fans are being asked to show their support by making a donation toward Griffs participation in the event, with a goal of raising $10,000. Pledges can be made online by clicking here.

Griffs participation in the 2006 Heart Walk is an extension of the Hockey for the Heart partnership between the Griffins and the American Heart Association. Through the program, which supports the associations mission of reducing disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke, Huntington Bank, Colburn Hundley Inc. and Fox Motors will jointly donate $100 to the association for every goal the Griffins score at home during the 2006-07 season.

Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation's No.1 and No.3 killers, claim more than 949,000 American lives each year. The association invested more than $364.3 million in fiscal year 2003-04 for research, professional and public education, and advocacy so people across America can live stronger, longer lives.