TOLEDO, Ohio — For the first time in the northwest Ohio area, the American Heart Association (AHA) is hosting the national Leaders of Impact Initiative locally.
Since Oct 17, six different local organizations, which were nominated by community peers, have been competing in a blind fundraising competition to raise the most funds.
This seven week competition does not allow any of the organizations to know which one is leading in fundraising donations, or which group has the largest fundraising goal.
However, while the money is being raised each group is also working to highlight and spread knowledge about the importance of knowing CPR, having access to healthy foods and exercising, among other heart health important facts.
If each of the following local organizations - CAIRE, LLC, ProMedica, Sigma Technologies, SONIA Organics, William Vaughan Company and Taylor Automotive - reaches their personal fundraising goals, collectively they all will have raised $80,000 for the AHA.
The association's Executive Director Mindy Hartwick said when this happens everyone wins.
"These really are their neighbors taking part in this competition. We want them to know that these leaders are passionate about this issue, they've all been affected in one way or another," Hartwick said. "They come from all different lifestyles. They work for different companies here in the community, but most importantly go out and support them."
She said the candidates using their platforms and leveraging their networks is how AHA helps get the information out for the community to work at learning their numbers and living a healthy lifestyle to help prevent heart disease.
The Toledo 2024 Leader of Impact winner will be announced on December 4.
For more information about the Northwest Ohio Leaders of Impact Initiative and how to help, click here.