Hearts For Harmon: Live Music & Health Awareness Event Being Planned

A benefit and awareness building event in the name of former Newtown Bee Sports Editor Kim Harmon is being planned for Sunday, March 16. The event will be in the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall from 2 to 5 pm.

“Hearts for Harmon” is being hosted in partnership with the Newtown Health District and will be an opportunity to gather to remember the celebrated sports writer, to enjoy live music and refreshments, and to learn more about cardio vascular health.

Mr Harmon passed away on December 22, 2007, at the age of 45 following a cardio vascular emergency leaving his wife, Rebecca, and three children. Organizers are gathering gift certificates and other prizes now, with plans to conduct a raffle with all proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association (AHA).

Attendees will also be able to make private donations directly to The Kim Harmon Family Fund, which is being administered through Newtown Savings Bank.

The AHA, Visiting Nurse Association of Newtown, Danbury Hospital, Newtown Fitness Challenge, Newtown Health District, Newtown Parks & Recreation Department, Kevin’s Community Center, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps and others are being invited to participate in a mini table top health expo. Local musicians and recording artists will provide live entertainment, and several inspiring guests are expected to speak.

Heart healthy recipes will be offered, along with snacks and other refreshments. There is no charge to attend “Hearts for Harmon,” but guests are asked to consider dropping in to make a donation to the family fund, or the AHA through the raffle.

Event organizer John Voket, one of Mr Harmon’s colleagues at The Newtown Bee, believes the late sports editor would not want such an event to happen without it having some positive community benefit.

“I think if we lost anyone here at The Bee under similar circumstances, Kim would have been first in line to do something like this,” Mr Voket said. “This year, we wanted to start ‘Hearts for Harmon’ as a small gathering to look back on Kim’s contributions to the community, and as a teaching moment that could possibly save lives by providing important information to the community about cardio vascular health.”

Additional information about raffle prizes, guest speakers and performers, and a confirmed list of table top participants will be announced in the coming weeks. For information, or to donate for the raffle, call 203-509-2246, or send email to John@TheBee.com by March 12.