Over $4,000 Raised in One Hour as Straight From the Heart Kicks Off

Participants from all across Niagara donned their colourful Straight from the Heart t-shirts as an official piper, dressed in full Scottish regalia, piped the walkers throughout the 1-mile mall concourse. Over $4,000 in pledges was raised in just one hour as Rick Woodward, Marketing Director for the Pen Centre, thanked everyone for their support of this worthy initiative.

St. Catharines, ON (PRWEB) February 4, 2005 -- Everyone was raring to go bright and early at the Pen Centre on Tuesday morning, as the Walk for Heart and Stroke officially launched the Pen Centres Straight from the Heart. This exciting and innovative campaign is designed to increase awareness of heart disease among women, to educate our community about how they can reduce their risk of heart disease, and to support the Niagara Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario through promotions and fundraising.

Participants from all across Niagara donned their colourful Straight from the Heart t-shirts as an official piper, dressed in full Scottish regalia, piped the walkers throughout the 1-mile mall concourse. Over $4,000 in pledges was raised in just one hour as Rick Woodward, Marketing Director for the Pen Centre, thanked everyone for their support of this worthy initiative. Woodward shared the stage with Judy Ziraldo, Executive Director of the Niagara Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Ziraldo told the crowd of supporters the Pen Centre has been instrumental in assisting our organization in raising the profile of Heart and Stroke in our community." She introduced a local mother who grasped a photo of her young son who suffered an unexpected seizure. She told a captive audience of the care and attention from all the wonderful people who helped her son and her family work through the difficult time while her son regained his heath.

Also present was Sue Erskine, St. Catharines' Deputy Mayor, who commended the Pen Centre and everyone involved in Straight for the Heart, on their dedication and hard work on behalf of the community.

The Pen Centre's February-long Straight From the Heart campaign will feature a series of exciting events, seminars and demonstrations, revolving around heart healthy living. Visit their website at www.thepencentre.com and click on the Straight From the Heart logo for a complete calendar of events.

Our main source of revenue for the fundraiser will be the sale of our delightful retro note cards, said Woodward, as he displayed a neatly wrapped package of five cards and envelopes, each with a unique heart-inspired image. We invite people to the Pen Centre's Customer Service to purchase their set of cards for just $10 with all proceeds donated to the Niagara Heart and Stroke Foundation and receive a beautifully enameled lapel pin free as our thank you for your support."

The Pen Centre will also be giving away the Grand Prize of a $1,200 dream stay at the award-winning Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa. Ballots are available at the Pen Centres Customer Service and no purchase is necessary.

For more information please contact:
Rick Woodward
Marketing Director
The Pen Centre
905-704-4159
rwoodward@20vic.com

# # #