Raffles To Benefit Heart Association—

 Healthy Tips, Tiki Jersey All Part Of

‘Hearts For Harmon’ Sunday

Many community representatives, health and wellness organizations, as well as private donors offering enticing trips and sports memorabilia, are helping make this Sunday’s “Hearts for Harmon” a benefit returning something back to everyone in the community. The free drop-in health and wellness activity being held in memory of The Newtown Bee’s late sports editor Kim Harmon is slated for this Sunday, March 16, in the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall from 2 to 5 pm.

Organizers were looking for an opportunity for anyone he covered in his many years at The Bee to gather and remember Mr Harmon while enjoying music, refreshments, and learning something about cardiovascular health.

The multifaceted event will feature several short talks about heart health and prevention advice, including a community chat with Dr Z Michael Taweh, founder of Kevin’s Community Center free health clinic. Heart healthy snacks and refreshments will be offered from local donors as well.

Proceeds from raffles throughout the day will benefit the American Heart Association, while a live auction to benefit the Harmon Family Fund will kick off at about 3:45 with Rosie DeStories of Newtown-based Fairfield Auctions at the podium.

One lucky live bidder and up to three guests will enjoy a week on tropical St Bart’s with a stipend for transportation; another will be heading up to a mountainside getaway in Bethel, Maine; and someone will be planning a chauffeured excursion to Yankee Stadium for a big game. Another auction bidder will be heading home with a gorgeous framed print from Koenig Art Emporium of Southbury, while sports memorabilia fans and collectors can go toe-to-toe on a signed Tiki Barber or Curtis Martin jersey, a football autographed by Reggie Bush and baseball signed by Mets All-Star David Wright.

Other bidders will be enjoying some fine, heart healthy red wines, and gifts from Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor and other donors.

Raffle prizes donated to benefit the AHA include: a “Spirit Doll” courtesy of local artist Paula Brinkman, 12 months of fitness and wellness from donors including Graceful Planet, The Fitness Loft, Mocha Coffee House, Dance Etc, Wishing Well, Club NewFit, the Edmond Town Hall Theater, Sensei James Cobb’s Aikibudokan of Connecticut, hand-crafted birdhouses, and more.

Local recording artists Darryl Gregory and Melissa Faith Cartoun will be among musical performers, and will autograph copies of their CDs in exchange for donations to the Heart Association after their sets at 3 and 4 pm.

The free public health and awareness-building benefit in memory Mr Harmon is being hosted in partnership with the Newtown Health District. The celebrated and award-winning editor died December 15, 2007, at the age of 45 following a cardiovascular emergency, leaving behind a wife, Rebecca, and three children, Melissa, Benjamin, and Tyler.

The AHA, the local Visiting Nurse Association, the free Newtown Fitness Challenge, the Health District, the Newtown Parks & Recreation Department, Kevin’s Community Center, the Volunteer Ambulance Corps are scheduled to participate in a mini tabletop health expo. This week organizers learned that Danbury Hospital cardiologist and author Dr Harvey Kramer, who was previously slated to appear as the keynote speaker, is facing a scheduling conflict and will not be participating.

There is no charge to attend “Hearts for Harmon,” but anyone can drop in to make a direct donation to the Harmon fund or support the AHA through the raffles or various autograph sessions. Organizers are hoping anyone Mr Harmon covered during his years reporting on sports, equestrian, and pets will spend a few minutes at the open house-style event.

Event co-organizer John Voket, one of Mr Harmon’s colleagues at The Bee, has seen an outpouring of goodwill from residents and businesses throughout the community.

“While we were initially planning this event primarily to raise heart health awareness, many folks have come forward with donations to generate support for the Heart Association and the Harmon family,” said Mr Voket. “While we have some incredible prizes to raffle and auction, the greatest thing that can come from this would be for someone to go home with a health tip or information that will help save their life, or the life of someone they love.”

The public is welcome to this free community health event and benefit. Call 203-509-2246 for information, or email john@thebee.com.