$185,000 raised at the Annual Heart Health Walk in June
It was a Colorado bluebird day as more than 500 participants, volunteers, vendor festival representatives, employees, friends and family members walked, ran and enjoyed live entertainment and healthy food during The 7th Annual Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk (RAM Walk) on June 11th at Carter Park in Breckenridge. The event is organized by Breckenridge Grand Vacations’ (BGV) philanthropic program, BGV Gives, in honor of the late BGV owner/developer Rob Millisor. A committed philanthropist and community supporter, Rob passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest in 2015 while on a humanitarian trip to Nepal following a devastating earthquake there that year.
The success of the event can be seen and felt in the outpouring of support from community partners such as The Summit Foundation, Breckenridge Restaurant Association, the Town of Breckenridge, BreckCreate and the Red, White and Blue Fire Department who come together to make this event fun for the entire family. Children’s activities, live entertainment, a 5K trail run and hike and a 1-mile walk around town not only provide the opportunity for some morning exercise, but also the chance to support the Rob Millisor Heart Health Fund at The Summit Foundation. One hundred percent of every dollar raised at the event goes to the Heart Health Fund because Mike Millisor and Mike Dudick, owner/developers of Breckenridge Grand Vacations, cover all the expenses every year.
In 2021, just the sixth year of the event, a landmark $1 million in total funds raised was achieved. The 2022 event added another $185,000 to the fund, the second largest amount generated since 2016 and the event’s inaugural year following Rob’s tragic death just eight months earlier. This year, 33 sponsors contributed $165,750 to the Walk. An additional four sponsors provided $7,000 in trade and in-kind services. Registration fees and donations from participants and supporters added to the final tally.
Grants and sponsorships awarded from the Heart Health Fund are used to support heart health programs, projects, research and equipment as well as nonprofit organizations who provide critical programs and services at the heart of our community. Grant funding is as unique and varied as the organizations that are supported. From purchasing and locating AED units throughout the community through Starting Hearts to supporting the Keystone Science School CATCH Afterschool Program to CPR/DEFIB education to start-up funding for the High Altitude Research Center, funds awarded and programs supported make a difference and save lives. To date, more than $900,000 has been distributed to these and other important community programs.
Minimizing our environmental impact is also important at BGV. The company strives to eliminate as much waste as possible going to our landfill. At this year’s RAM Walk, of the 1,198 pounds of waste generated at the event, only 250 pounds was taken to the landfill representing a 79% diversion rate.
Mark your calendars now and save the date for the 2023 Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk on Saturday, June 10. Donations to this year’s RAM Walk can still be made online at The Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk | BGV Gives.
