Have-a-Heart fundraiser Saturday at fairgrounds

Thursday, February 4, 2016

With a fundraising goal of purchasing and placing needed automated external defibrillators (AED's) in public buildings, Jeff Rich has organized the "Have-a-Heart" fundraiser.

The second annual event is set for Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Community Building on the Putnam County Fairgrounds in Greencastle.

Designed as a "family friendly" event, the goal is to have entire families enjoy an evening of "fun, family and entertainment and make the entire family aware of the importance of heart health," Rich said.

"Last year when the community came together in my support," Rich said, "I made it my mission to carry on the event to help in making 'heart health' household words."

Rich stressed that Saturday's occasion is an effort to raise funds to assist community residents in becoming more aware of heart health, and to aid those who have experienced a heart event.

Rich did just that in December 2014, suffering a serious heart attack that almost instantly made him much more "heart health" conscious.

That experience motivated Rich to adopt a series of goals for the "Have-a-Heart" event:

-- To educate the community on the importance of being heart healthy.

-- To assist those in our communities to be "heart healthy."

-- To support those in our communities who suffer a "heart event."

Long-term fundraising goals include "being there for as many people in our communities, whether it be by educating them on being 'heart healthy' or assisting with needed medical costs when a heart event is experienced."

This year's fundraising goals aim to assist others with "heart scans" as well as the purchase and placement of AED's in public buildings, Rich noted.

Activities will be staged throughout the day on Saturday.

Daytime events will include:

-- Craft fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Vendor space available (contact Lita Sandy as bsandy@ccrtc.com or 765-720-9155).

-- Silent auction, 9 a.m-3 p.m.

To donate items contact Jeff Rich (richauction@ccrtc.com or 812-828-1467).

-- Concessions available, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

-- Fitness for all ages, 10-11 a.m.

-- Crafts for children, 1-2 p.m.

* * *

Evening events (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) will include:

-- Dance Workshop performance, 6-6:45 p.m.

-- Concessions available, 5:30-9 p.m.

Soup and salad bar and other food.

-- Silent auction, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

To donate items contact Jeff Rich (richauction@ccrtc.com or 812-828-1467).

-- Heart Dance, 7-10 p.m.

Anyone under the age of 18 must be in attendance with an adult on Saturday.

Everything is on a donation basis (other than booth space rental).

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