The clock is about to strike midnight on the 2009 Pike County Heart Association’s fundraising campaign and that’s a good thing.

Tracy Davis, association president, said, from all indications, the campaign has been a successful one and it’s now time to celebrate the generosity of the people of Pike County.

“Even through difficult economic times, people have been very generous,” Davis said. “In fact, we have more sponsors this year than in the past and have raised about $13,500 in sponsorships. Our hopes are that, when the teams report, that dollar amount will climb to about $25,000.”

The annual Pike County Heart Association Heart Walk will be at 5:30 tonight at Cattleman Park and everyone is invited to attend.

“We have a night of fun and entertainment planned and, of course, a time to honor those who have won victories over heart disease and stroke,” said Elizabeth Mitchell, entertainment chair. “The activities will kick off at 5:30 with Dr. Catherine Allard and the Jubilee Chorus.

“Then, we’ll have the survivors’ walk to recognize and applaud those who have won victories over heart disease and stroke. Then we’ll invite everyone to join the survivors in the 2009 Pike County Heart Walk.”

Around 6 p.m., the puppet ministry of First Baptist Church will be the featured entertainment.

The “Puppets Praising Christ” is a ministry of older youth of the church and led by Michael O’Hara.

Following the puppet show, Johnny Barron and his students will take center stage and play a variety of music that is sure to please all of those in attendance and to put a bounce in the step of those who are Waking for Heart.

Sandwiches, chips and soft drinks will be available for those who participate in the Heart Walk.

Davis said about 25 teams made up of friends, neighbors, coworkers and school children will participate in the 2009 Pike County Heart Walk.

“The Heart Walk is a lot of fun and it raises money for a very good cause, the American Heart Association,” Davis said.

“So, we invite everyone to join us for night of fun, fellowship and great entertainment.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a member of a team or not, we want everyone to come out and show their support for the American Heart Association and help remove heart disease as the number one killer of Americans today.”

Davis said it is estimated that one in three American adults have one of more types of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nearly 2,400 Americans die of CVD each day, an average of one death every 37 seconds. CVD claims about as many lives each year as cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents and diabetes mellitus combined.

Those numbers give reason to the Heart Walk and are reason to support the Pike County Heart Association and the American Heart Association in their fight against CVD.