Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community raises record $1.5 million for 215 local nonprofits in Pennsylvania and Delaware

The annual Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community officially concluded its 2018 campaign on June 30 with a record number of funds raised for local nonprofits.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Aug. 6, 2018) — The 16th annual Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community raised over $1.5 million for 215 local nonprofits in Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Erie, Harrisburg, Leigh Valley, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Wilmington, Delaware. Highmark coordinates and underwrites the cost of the walk so that 100 percent of the money raised by walkers goes directly to participating nonprofits.

Different from other fundraiser walks and runs across the United States every year, organized for the benefit of one particular cause or organization, the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community is a unique walk which benefits not just one mission or organization, but hundreds across several participating locations.

"We are thrilled to have concluded this year's walk with a record-breaking amount of funds raised for our participating community organizations," said Maria D. Anderson, director of community programs, Highmark Health. "Each year, we are proud to see this walk continue to grow and to help contribute to the development of these outstanding organizations who may not have the opportunity, staff, or resources to hold a major fundraising event of their own."

Since 2003, the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community has raised more than $13.6 million for over 400 nonprofits across Pennsylvania and in Delaware.

Organizations use the money raised to build capacity for their mission, expand resources, and extend their work in the community.

Pittsburgh walk
Raised $486,874 for 76 nonprofit organizations.
Top three fundraising nonprofits:

• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: $30,046
• Autism Connection of PA: $27,372
• DePaul School for Hearing and Speech: $20,784

Harrisburg walk
Raised $350,042 for 48 nonprofit organizations.
Top three fundraising nonprofits:

• Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: $51,447
• Paxton Ministries: $30,551
• Center for Independent Living of Central PA: $19,680

Johnstown walk
Raised $55,982 for 17 nonprofits.
Top three fundraising nonprofits:

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food for Families: $9,870
• Camp Harmony: $9,197
• The Children's Aid Home Programs of Somerset County Inc.: $6,027

Lehigh Valley walk
Raised $247,996 for 24 nonprofits.
Top three fundraising nonprofits:

• LifePath Foundation: $70,322
• Meals on Wheels of Northampton County: $33,571
• Family Connection of Easton: $18,541

Erie walk
Raised $145,166 for 21 nonprofits.
Top three fundraising nonprofits:

• ALS Association, Western PA Chapter: $27,091
• Shriners Hospitals for Children: $26,921
• Community Blood Bank of Northwest PA: $8,972

Wilmington walk
Raised a record-breaking $186,655 for 20 nonprofits.
Top three fundraising nonprofits were:

• Friendship House Inc.: $61,555
• Family Promise of Northern New Castle County: $26,677
• Read Aloud Delaware: $18,686

NEPA walk
Raised $32,139 for 9 nonprofits.
Top three fundraising nonprofits were:

• Maternal and Family Health Services: $9,066
• CAN DO Community Foundation: $4,605
• Individual Abilities in Motion: $4,070

To learn more about participating organizations and the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, visit www.walkforahealthycommunity.org.