Mesquite Walks For Heart Health

By WESLIE STRATTON

Moapa Valley Progress

The City of Mesquite hosted the 14th annual Heart Walk on Friday, Feb. 15. The event drew hundreds of participants despite cool temperatures and recent rainfall.

Supporters of heart health gathered at the Mesquite Recreation Center to register for the event and receive a free t-shirt and bottle of water distributed by members of the Mesquite Police Officer Association. A drawing took place with items donated by event sponsors prior to the start of the 3.2-mile walk.

Director of Athletics and Leisure Services Nicholas Montoya said that the event was a tremendous success “…thanks largely to the generosity of the sponsors, donors and volunteers.”

While some participated to support the community, others, like Scott and Karen Jenkins, joined the event as a show of appreciation for a heart that is still beating.
“He is a heart attack survivor,” Karen said of her husband.
“And I’m here because she told me to [be],” Scott added with a laugh.

The Jenkins’ winter in Mesquite from Ohio and are enjoying good health 10 years after Scott’s heart attack and open-heart surgery.

Several members of the Mesquite Desert Dogs basketball team participated in the event.
“This is a great cause,” athlete Stephen McCall said. “Walking for hearts, health and fitness.”

He said that good health is something that the team understands and values in their lives.
“We wanted to come out and support the Mesquite community,” McCall said. “They’ve always had our back down here so we just wanted to show the same love.”

Event sponsors included Mesa View Regional Hospital, Silver Rider Bus Company, FIT Physical Therapy, The View, City of Mesquite Police, Fire and Recue Department staff and Volunteer Citizen Patrol, Calvary Chapel of Mesquite and more.

Montoya thanked all sponsors for their contributions and volunteer hours “that helped make this event extremely successful.”