Findlay contributes to success of Heart Walk/Run

The annual Las Vegas Heart and Stroke Walk/Run conducted recently in downtown Las Vegas produced not only awareness for the victims of strokes and heart attacks, but also generated about $260,000 for the cause.

The event drew thousands of participants including a number of Findlay Automotive Group employees.

"We were very happy with the final result," said Findlay Automotive Group Chief Financial Officer Tyler Corder, who served as the Heart Walk chairman for the second consecutive year. "This is a wonderful cause and we're all proud to be part of it."

Jason Belland, executive director of the Las Vegas office of the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, echoed Corder's comments.

"We are very excited by the positive response we received from our participants. They really enjoyed the event being downtown at the Fremont Street Experience," said Belland, adding that the group especially appreciated Corder's leadership.

Melanie Baldwin, who is a five-time survivor of heart surgery, hailed the event.

"I really liked the fact that this particular event was more accessible," she said. "It certainly afforded us the higher profile that we were looking for. Believe me, there is no limit how far this cause is going to go. The sky is the limit. And I thank the Heart Foundation every single day of my life for what I have now."

Baldwin said the Heart Association's efforts have continued to bring new innovations.

"It's amazing how many advances there have been in heart surgery since I went through mine and that's awesome," she said. "I'm glad that the Heart Walk/Run came off as well as it did. The event required a lot of hard work. People were cheering us all along the route."

Baldwin said the event drew strong participation from sponsors.

"For instance, Subway was very generous. They provided us with so much food that we were able to give some of it away to those who couldn't attend, but could use something to eat."

Plans are already under way for the 2013 event.

Findlay Automotive Group, which was founded by the late Pete Findlay more than 50 years ago, supports countless charitable causes each year.

The group operates 27 automobile dealerships in Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Arizona. Visit www.findlayauto.com for more information on Findlay Automotive Group.

Visit www.heart.org for more information on the American Heart Association.