Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community helps charitable organizations across Pennsylvania and Delaware raise record-breaking $1.46 million

PITTSBURGH (July 20, 2017) — With participation from nearly 11,000 walkers, the 2017 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, held in six locations across Pennsylvania and Delaware, helped 214 local nonprofit organizations raise a record-breaking $1.46 million. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the walks in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Johnstown, Erie and the Lehigh Valley, Pa. and Wilmington, Del. have generated more than $1 million and brings the 15-year fundraising total for the walks to more than $12 million.

"Since 2003, the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community has helped more than 400 local nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania and Delaware fulfill their missions and build stronger, healthier communities," said Evan Frazier, senior vice president of community affairs, Highmark Health. "Many of these outstanding organizations have never had the opportunity, staff or other resources to hold a major fundraising event of their own, and we are so proud that we can help contribute to their development efforts."

Highmark's Walk for a Healthy Community events, held during May and June, provide a yearly opportunity for the community to support participating local nonprofits. The primary goal of the walks, which includes both a 5K (3.1 mile) route and a one-mile fun walk option, is to help charitable health and human service organizations raise money for their individual missions. Highmark underwrites all of the costs associated with the walks, so 100 percent of funds raised by community members are donated to the charity they select.

The Pittsburgh walk, held May 13, raised $430,800 for 76 nonprofit organizations with the participation of 3,900 walkers. The top three fundraising nonprofits were:

• Autism Connection of PA: $25,000
• Presbyterian SeniorCare Network: $20,300
• Mt. Ararat Community Activity Center: $17,900

The Harrisburg walk, held May 20, raised $353,500 for 48 nonprofit organizations with the participation of 2,000 walkers. The top three fundraising nonprofits were:

• Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center/College of Medicine: $50,200
• Susquehanna Service Dogs: $49,100
• Paxton Ministries: $20,200

The Johnstown walk, held May 20, raised $83,100 for 17 nonprofits with the participation of 400 walkers. The top three fundraising nonprofits were:

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food for Families: $11,900
• The Children's Aid Home Programs of Somerset County, Inc.: $9,000
• Mom's House, Inc. of Johnstown: $7,800

The Lehigh Valley walk, held June 3 in Bethlehem, Pa., raised a record-breaking $278,800 for 27 nonprofits with the participation of 1,600 walkers. The top three fundraising nonprofits were:

• LifePath Foundation: $60,000
• Meals on Wheels of Northampton County: $48,100
• Easter Seals Eastern Pennsylvania: $22,700

The Erie walk, held June 3, raised a record-breaking $151,700 for 23 nonprofits with the participation of 1,500 walkers. The top three fundraising nonprofits were:

• The ALS Association Western Pennsylvania Chapter: $24,700
• Shriners Hospital for Children: $18,100
• Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York: $12,600

The Wilmington walk, held June 3, raised a record-breaking $158,900 for 23 nonprofits with the participation of 1,300 walkers. The top three fundraising nonprofits were:

• Friendship House, Inc.: $42,400
• Read Aloud Delaware: $16,400
• Rodney Street Tennis & Tutoring Association: $14,400

Organizations and walkers interested in learning more about the Highmark walks should visit the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community's website. Nonprofit organizations that want to be part of the 2018 walk in their region should apply online by July 31, 2017.

View a slideshow of photos from the 2017 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community available for unrestricted use.