200 UD volunteers take part in Heart Walk

2:27 p.m., Sept. 23, 2003--Nearly 200 UD employees, students, alumni and friends joined more than 2,100 walkers and runners taking part in the American Heart Walk, Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Riverfront Walkway in Wilmington.

The 12th annual event benefits the American Heart Association in its fight against heart disease and strokes.

University mascot YoUDee was on hand, as were the UD cheerleaders and members of the dance team who turned out to cheer on the UD walkers as they headed toward the finish line.

“YoUDee was well received, as usual, particularly with the children,” Marianne Carter, Employee Wellness Center director, said. “He led both the runners and the walkers from the starting line.”

Another notable UD walker was Diane Smith, also known as the “hot dog lady” on Main Street.

“Diane suffered a heart attack last year,” Carter said. “She joined the UD team and was able to raise $161 by putting a donation jar at her hot dog stand near the Newark Newsstand.”

The UD walkers were organized into teams led by Heart Walk captains, who were responsible for registering team members.

“The Heart Walk captains did a great job recruiting walkers, collecting money and registering their teams for the event,” Carter said. “The student population also was well represented, thanks to the efforts of Richie Holland, manager of human resources. A full busload of students left from the Perkins Student Center to participate in the event.”

UD took second place for its T-shirt, which was designed by Barbara Stein in the Office of Public Relations. The American Heart Association is in the process of tallying the final results of the event, including UD team and individual fundraising efforts.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kevin Tucker

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