The Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association’s sponsorship drive is gearing up and association members are in the process of contacting local merchants with opportunities to become sponsors.

Tracey Davis and Teresa Doty are co-chairs for this year’s fundraising efforts.

Davis said last year $35,000 was raised in support of the American Heart Association and in an effort to reduce the incidents of heart disease and the number of deaths from the disease.

“This year, we hope to raise even more money for the American Heart Association,” she said. “There are several levels of sponsorships and businesses have the option of the level of support.”

Bronze sponsorships begin at $100, silver sponsorships at $250, gold sponsorships at $500 and platinum at $1,000.

The Pike County Chapter of the AHA will not be limited to sponsorships.

Doty said the local chapter will sponsor a cake sale and raffles.

Memorial donations are also of great benefit to the American Heart Association’s fundraising efforts.

“Jim O’Neal accepts memorial donations for the Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association,” Doty said. “Those wishing to make memorial donations to the AMA may do so by sending a check in the desired amount and the name of the person to be honored to the American Heart Association c/o Jim O’Neal, 219 West College Street, Troy, AL 36081.

The annual Red Cap Survivors Breakfast will be held in February at the Park Memorial United Methodist Church and hosted by the men of the church. All heart disease survivors and their caregivers will be honored.

The Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Walk will be held in February at the Troy Sportsplex.

The AHA reports that one of every three deaths in the United States is from heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. That statistic alone is reason enough to support the fundraising efforts of the Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association, Davis said.

All contributions to the Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association are tax deductible.

For more information contact Jimmy Phillips at 722-0349 or Gene Omasta at 566-1392.