Members of the Rider University advancement division laced up their sneakers, donned cranberry t-shirts and opened their wallets on Saturday, September 16.

Members of the Rider University advancement division laced up their sneakers, donned cranberry t-shirts and opened their wallets for the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Walk and the 5k Race to Peak Performance in Mercer County Park on September 16.

The team of walkers and runners participated in the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Walk and the Race to Peak Performance in Mercer County Park on September 16, surpassing their fundraising goal of $2,000 to help the fight against heart disease.

The 2006 walk, with an overall event goal of $500,000, was chaired by Tony Hooper, president, U.S. Pharma of Bristol-Myers Squibb in Plainsboro. Hooper, himself a heart disease survivor, invited Rider to participate in the walk.

(left to right) Cathy Carter-Romero, Christa Martin, Patricia Witkowski and Jonathan Meer

Left to right: Michael Scott, the Bronc, Jaclyn Levi and Brian Kelley

“I’m very pleased with our initial performance in this very important event and want to thank Cathy Carter-Romero for heading up our Heart Walk team,” said Jonathan Meer, Rider’s vice president for university advancement. “A number of our employees gave up a portion of their weekends to help represent the University and give back to our community in its fight against heart disease,” Meer added. “We will work to expand the University’s participation in the Heart Walk next year by engaging our colleagues from other divisions as well as Rider students and faculty.”

The university advancement team included top fundraisers Patricia Witkowski and Christa Martin, who raised more than $300 each. Other walkers and fundraisers for the event were; Cathy Carter-Romero, Christopher Feltham, Edie Haywood, Christa Martin, Jonathan Meer, Karen Nolan, Natalie Pollard, Christina Spoegler, Elyce Teitelman and Brenda Whiteman. Several family members also joined the walk.

Jaclyn Levi, Brian Kelley and Michael Scott ran in the 5K Race to Peak Performance, a companion event to the Heart Walk. This 5k was a first race for all three competitors.

Several other members of the Rider family and the University Advancement division contributed to the team’s successful fundraising drive.

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