CARTERVILLE - Beth Hartke of the American Heart Association announced a new children's project during the community kickoff breakfast for Southern Illinois Heart Walk. The walk will feature Kids Zone, a result of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, formed by the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation to combat the spread of childhood obesity and its associated diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

The alliance has teamed up with Nickelodeon to create the Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge. Four kids are pushing themselves to get healthier in six months while cameras follow them around. Updates are shown on Nickelodeon. On Sept. 30, Nickelodeon will suspend programming to encourage kids to go outside and play. This is also the date of Southern Illinois Heart Walk.

"I encourage you to bring the kids and the family and spend the Saturday together," Hartke said.

Kids Zone will include a nutrition and fitness quiz, heart-healthy kid-friendly recipes, physical activities led by kids, giveaways, a portion control demonstration and exercises for couch potatoes. Children may also sign a pledge card and register for the Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge.

Registration for the heart walk will be at 8 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. The walk begins at 9 a.m. with closing ceremonies around 10 a.m.

Robert Mees, president of John A. Logan College, also spoke at the community kickoff. "Everyone in this room has been touched by cardiovascular disease, whether it is a parent, relative or someone close to you," Mees said.

Mees, who is the 2006 Heart Walk chairperson, had a brother who died from complications of a heart attack that damaged 40 percent of his heart. Mees gave team captains a short pep talk and introduced the vice chairperson of the walk, Lee Crisp, CEO of Pepsi MidAmerica.

Donna Samples of Foley-Sweitzer Motors has been a heart walk volunteer since 1995. Her mother and grandmother both died at age 42 from heart attacks. Samples said it is easy to think you are too busy with your business and personal life to help, but it is worth it to get involved. "As I worked through the years, I've learned what the American Heart Association is doing - all the education and research," she said.

The fundraising goal for this year's Heart Walk is $250,000. Hartke said she has around 35 companies signed up and some of those will have multiple teams. She also has some individual teams registered.

Those interested in walking or volunteering at the Heart Walk are asked to contact Hartke at (217) 821-2987 or beth.hartke@heart.org.

marilyn.halstead@thesouthern.com

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