Credit Union Gives $1,500 to Northern Nevada Heart Walk & Running Red for Heart 5K

RENO, Nev. United Federal Credit Union (UFCU) supported the Northern Nevada Heart Walk & Running Red for Heart 5K with a $1,500 donation. The event took place on Sunday, September 22, 2013, at Scheels (Legends of Sparks Marina) in Sparks, Nev. The event was sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA).

"Weve been involved with the Heart Walk for four years, and actively supporting the American Heart Association in a number of ways," said UFCU Double R Assistant Branch Manager Mayte Castro. "With staff and their friends and family, we had more than 50 participants wearing the blue United Federal Credit Union shirts." Castro was team captain for the event. Its estimated that one million people join the Heart Walk annually, in more than 300 cities across the U.S. "Like every community its our volunteers and business partners who help make these events successful," said AHA Business Development Director Reno/Sparks Danielle Hammons. 150 teams and 50 businesses from Northern Nevada participated this year, with more than $136,000 raised. "Were fortunate to have a strong and caring business community," continued Hammons. "We congratulate all participants for taking on the challenge and working so hard to raise funds." Credit unions have long supported organizations like the AHA. "Raising awareness for the disease and encouraging healthy habits are top of mind for all of us," said Castro. "We want to show our support by rallying our team, and encouraging camaraderie amongst employees and families." More than 50 UFCU staff live in the Northern Nevada region. As a whole, they met their own goal of raising $500 for the event. This is in addition to $1,000 donated by UFCU. Castro explained that staff came up with a number of ideas to raise funds, such as casual dress days where staff made a donation to wear jeans. Donations will have a community-wide impact through a number of lifesaving and educational activities in the Reno/Sparks area. According the events website, www.nevadaheartwalk.com, dollars will be used for distributing relevant and up-to-the-minute information to doctors; and, for continued research to prevent pediatric heart disease and stroke, and heart defects which affect more than 36,000 children annually. Castro reiterated, "Supporting our communities in any way we can, and devoting our own personal time, is important to us at UFCU." With 22 locations nationwide, each UFCU branch strives to make their communities a better place. For more information on the American Heart Association, visit www.heart.org or call (800) 242 8721. About UFCU United Federal Credit Union has served its Members since 1949 by helping them to build a sound financial future. UFCU consists of more than 120,000 Member/owners worldwide, and manages assets in excess of $1.57 billion. Its corporate offices and main branch are located in St. Joseph, Mich., with additional branches in Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, and Ohio. UFCU has been named the Michigan Credit Union League Outstanding Credit Union of the Year 2013. UFCU has also been named the National Federal Credit Union of the Year 2013 by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions.

�About the Northern Nevada Heart Walk

The annual Heart Walk celebrates those who have made lifestyle changes, and encourages many more to take the pledge to live healthier lifestyles, while raising the dollars needed to fund life-saving research and initiatives in the Reno/Sparks community. Learn more about the race at http://www.nevadaheartwalk.com/.

�About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization working to prevent, treat and defeat heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. These diseases, the Nation's No.1 and No. 4 killers, claim more than 813,804 American lives a year. By 2020, its goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent. Learn more about the fight against heart disease at http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/.