Hallmark Health's Stride for Healthy Communities Raises More Than $32K for Community Health Programs

More than 300 Hallmark Health System supporters recently participated in this year’s Stride for Healthy Communities, raising more than $32,000 for community health programs such as bariatric support programs, cancer care, cardiology and the North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network.

The annual fundraising walk around Wakefield’s Lake Quannapowitt added a 5K road race this year, bringing nearly 150 runners. Top winners included Mike Dimauro of Lawrence, with a winning time of 18:44, and Coreen Lowney of Dracut, who ran the course in 19:08.

“Stride for Healthy Communities has been growing for several years,” said Denise Flynn, chief development officer at Hallmark Health. “By adding the 5K race, we’ve introduced an exciting new element that brings the potential to keep growing.”

More than 40 Hallmark Health employees successfully finished the 5K race as part of a couch-to-5K® program aimed at helping employees start an exercise program and reach new fitness goals. The program was led by seven volunteer coaches, fellow employees with running experience, who conducted training sessions and mentored new runners.

Other participants included many patients, family members, staff and physicians, including a group from Hallmark Health’s Center for Weight Management and Weight Loss Surgery. The center emphasizes an active lifestyle to help keep weight off and several patients celebrated reaching a goal of finishing a 5K walk or run with family members and friends who have helped them through their journey.

Hallmark Health would like to thank the sponsors of the 2015 Stride for Healthy Communities:

Presenting Sponsors

Jennifer S. Wu, MD

The Hallmark Health System Medical Staff

Benefactor Sponsors

Eastern Bank

Whole Foods Market

Patron Sponsors

Action Ambulance Service, Inc.

Armstrong Ambulance Service, Inc.

Cataldo Ambulance Service, Inc.

New England Coffee

Supporting Sponsors

Hallmark Health Imaging

Melrose Cooperative Bank

Melrose Family YMCA & Saugus Family YMCA

Optum

Promotional Solutions, Inc.

Republic Building Contractors, Inc.

Right at Home Boston and North

WBZ News Radio 1030

Team Sponsors

Bariatric Fusion, Inc.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Epoch Senior Healthcare of Melrose

KTS, Inc. Cabling Solutions