Vertrue Good Works

Vertrue Walks the Walk for the American Heart Association
Read more about Vertrue's other good works, 

Whether it's an annual Toys for Tots or Food Bank drive, a one-time relief effort in response to a natural disaster, or a chance to provide work experience to young adults who might not otherwise have such an opportunity, Vertrue takes community involvement very seriously.









After losing a 43-year-old employee to a heart attack in July 2005, Vertrue decided it was time to play a more active role in helping to combat heart disease, which is the #1 cause of death in the United States. Vertrue therefore began to participate in the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Walk, encouraging its employees to donate their time and money to help the AHA's efforts to research causes and cures for cardiovascular disease and stroke (the third-leading cause of death in the country).

On October 30, 2005, a group of 37 people with ties to Vertrue, including 20 employees, took part in the 2005 Heart Walk, a five-kilometer stroll originating in Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Connecticut. Vertrue set a charitable donation goal of $8,000 for its employees, and the employees came through, surpassing that amount and raising a total of $8,448.25. For its efforts, the AHA gave Vertrue its Rookie of the Year Award for its outstanding participation in its first year. One Vertrue employee received special recognition for raising over $1,000 on her own.

In 2006, Vertrue is raising the bar for its employees yet again.  With an initial $5,000 donation, Vertrue is now a Chain of Survival sponsor, but it has no plans to stop there. Vertrue's employee contribution goal for the 2006 Heart Walk on October 29 is $10,000 — and Vertrue will match the donations raised by its employees.

The American Heart Association Heart Walk is the AHA's primary source of fund-raising each year. In 2006, over one million people are expected to participate in over 600 walks held across the nation. Through its Heart Walk, the AHA encourages companies to create teams of employees who solicit donations from co-workers, friends, family members, and others. The Heart Walk helps to instill a sense of unity, teamwork, and purpose within the company while at the same time fostering a corporate environment of community involvement.

Charitable donations raised through the American Heart Association Heart Walk are used to fund a variety of initiatives, including:

  • Research into new biomedical techniques and procedures
  • Public awareness programs that highlight preventive steps and treatment for cardiovascular disease and stroke
  • Education and training for health professionals
  • Community services, including training in emergency aid, blood pressure screenings, and more

According to the AHA's current mission statement, "The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke." Vertrue is proud of its commitment to do its part in helping the American Heart Association achieve its mission through its participation in the annual Heart Walk.

For more information about the American Heart Association, please click here.