‘Hearts For Harmon’ To Celebrate Former Sports Editor

One lucky bidder and up to three guests will enjoy a week on tropical St Bart’s and a stipend for transportation as prize donations continue coming in for a free public health benefit and awareness building event in memory of former Newtown Bee Sports Editor Kim Harmon.

The event, “Hearts for Harmon,” is set for Sunday, March 16 in the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall from 2 - 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.

Harmon passed away December 15, 2007 at the age of 45 following a cardio vascular emergency leaving his wife, Rebecca, and three children, Melissa, Benjamin and Tyler.

Organizers are still requesting anyone who was touched by Harmon or his voluminous sports, equestrian and pets coverage to consider donating gift certificates and other prizes now. Most of the donations will be awarded as prizes in a raffle with all proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association (AHA).

Attendees will also be able to make private donations directly to a Harmon family scholarship fund, which is being administered through Newtown Savings Bank, and to participate in a special live auction for the St Bart’s ‘Vacation in Paradise’ and several other high profile items including tickets to see the New York Yankees.

The AHA, local visiting nurse association, Danbury Hospital, the free Newtown Fitness Challenge, the Health District, the Newtown Parks & Recreation Department, Kevin’s Community Center, the Volunteer Ambulance Corps and others have been 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.

The Newtown High School mascot, “The Harmon Hawk” has been invited to pose for digital photos with players, kids and Hawks fans of all ages.

Heart healthy snacks and refreshments will be offered from local donors as well. There is no charge to attend “Hearts for Harmon,” but guests are asked to consider dropping in to make a donation to the scholarship fund, or the AHA through the raffle.

Event organizer John Voket, one of Harmon’s colleagues at The Bee, believes the late sports editor would not want such an event to happen without it having a 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,” 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.”

Raffle prizes donated to benefit the Heart Association include a ‘Spirit Doll’ courtesy of local artist Paula Brinkman, and 12-months of fitness from a number of local gyms, trainers and fitness organizations. Local recording artist Darryl Gregory will be among the musical performers, and will autograph copies of his CDs in exchange for donations to the Heart Association.

The keynote speaker for the event is Newtown resident Dr Harvey Cramer, a cadiologist at Danbury Hospital, who was the former Chairman of the regional AHA chapter. Dr Kramer authored the book “A Women’s Guide to Heart Attack Recovery,” and is also planning to autogrpah a limited number of copies in exchange for AHA donations.

For information, or to donate food, beverages or prizes, call 203-509-2246, or email john@thebee.com by next Thursday, March 13.