Several hundred people spread out along the sidewalks and shoulder of Old Mill Road at the start of the Ninth Annual Mesquite Heart Walk at 9 a.m., Feb. 14.
February is Healthy Heart Month and Valentine’s Day was picked for the 5K walk.
The route wound its way through west Mesquite from the city’s recreation center at 100 W. Old Mill Road to the Mesa View Quick Care Facility, adjacent to Mesa View Regional Hospital on Betha Howe Ave.
Participants walked, jogged or peddled bicycles; some were in or pushing wheel-chairs, including a group of residents and staff from Highland Manor Skill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 272 W. Pioneer Ave.
James Sullivan, administrator for the manor, said more than a dozen residents and staffers participated.
“I wasn’t able participate last year,” he told the MLN as he pushed a manor resident. But several members of the staff turned out this year to help their charges join in the heart-healthy effort.
Sullivan added that a manor vehicle was ready in case anyone was unable to continue the effort.
A walk of 5 kilometers is the equivalent of 3.2 miles. Participants gathered at the recreation center’s gym to register and warm up before starting the trek.
Nick Montoya of the Mesquite Leisure Services Department said the annual event wouldn’t be possible without the contribution of sponsors, including Senior Circle, Virgin Valley Dental, Virgin Valley Little League, Fit Physical Therapy, Healthy Women, Mesa View Physical Therapy, Bank of Nevada, Mesa View Medical Group, Mega-Pro Inc., Virgin Valley Home Care & Hospice, and Silver Rider.
The Silver Rider Bus Co., also provided free rides back to the recreation center.
In a press release today, Mesquite Recreation thanked participants and volunteers for their participation:
"The City of Mesquite would like to thank all of the volunteers, organizations and individuals for their help organizing and contributing to the 9th Annual Heart Walk. “It was a tremendous success, thanks largely to the generosity of the sponsors, donors and volunteers,” said Nicholas Montoya, Associate Director.
This year’s event attracted 404 participants for the 3.2 mile (5K) walk. We are looking forward to next year’s event as it’s our 10th Annual Walk.
All volunteers, organizations, individuals and community leaders are to be commended for all their generosity and kindness. Mesa View Regional Hospital Marketing Coordinator, Susan Holecheck, praised them all saying, “Their helpful and cheerful attitude made it a great event along with the wonderful weather; it played a big part in it”. Also grateful for all the help and support, Nicholas Montoya noted all of the sponsors of the program: The City of Mesquite Athletics & Leisure Services Dept, City of Mesquite Police Dept. & the Volunteer Citizen Patrol, Mesa View Regional Hospital Marketing and Administration Staff, Silver Rider Bus Company, Mesa View Medical Group, Bank of Nevada, FIT Physical Therapy, Virgin Valley Home Care & Hospice, Virgin Valley Dental, Mega Pro Screen Printing, Mesa View Physical Therapy, Virgin Valley Little League Baseball, NRPS (Nevada Recreation and Parks Society) and The Valley Presbyterian Church Group.
The City of Mesquite Department of Athletics & Leisure Services will definitely look forward to working with all businesses, organizations and volunteers in the future.
Once again, thank you all for your contributions and volunteer hours that helped make this event extremely successful.
If you are interested in volunteering time or services for the Department of Athletics & Leisure Services at all during the year please call the administrative offices at 346-8732."