Heart of a Giant Foundation's Inaugural Event: Event Report and Thank You Note

Dear Heart of a Giant Supporters,

We are excited to share the tremendous success of our Inaugural Boston Community Heart Walk, held on October 12, 2024. This milestone event marked a significant step toward advancing the Heart of a Giant Foundation's mission of improving cardiac health outcomes in high-risk communities.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported, participated in, and contributed to this event. Your enthusiasm, generosity, and presence transformed our vision into a vibrant reality. Special thanks go to our partners, advisors, and sponsors who have been with us throughout this journey. The success of this event is a testament to the strength of our community.

We received a special acknowledgment from Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley. Their commendations recognized our impact on community health, and receiving a citation from the Governor's Office was humbling and inspiring.

On a personal note, this day held extra significance as we celebrated Bouba's heart transplant anniversary on October 8 and his birthday on October 13. The presence of our families and friends, especially so many young ones at the event was a profoundly moving and unforgettable surprise.

Citation from the Governor's Office

Event Highlights

Our inaugural event was a day filled with connection, wellness, and celebration, featuring:

• Health and Wellness Activities:

• Free health screenings and community health education sessions on heart health and its connection to oral health.

• A scenic 2-3 mile community walk and an optional 5-6 mile run for those seeking a more adventurous challenge.

• Family-Friendly Fun:

Empire Party Rentals provided bounce houses for kids. Sam's Ice Cream provided ice cream treats, water from ReadyRefresh, healthy meal options, and Tambo Tambo's Kitchen refreshments and Sidy Maiga and Becky brought the rythm through drums snd live music.

• Playgrounds, basketball courts, and activities designed to bring families together.

• Recognition and Rewards:

• An awards ceremony to honor our team, supporters, and partners.

• Exciting raffle prizes, including fitness class packages, Blue Bikes passes, and a golf package with lodging.

• A Special Citation:

• Official recognition from the Governor's Office celebrating our impact on improving community health.

We welcomed over 250 attendees, exceeding our expectations and reinforcing the importance of making this an annual tradition.

We've curated a photo album from the event for you to relive those special moments. You can view it here.

A view at the Lower Neponset River

Event Highlight Video

Acknowledgments

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and supporters who made this event possible:

• Our 45 donors, who raised over $13,000!

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Cardiovascular Health

• Sidy Maiga Music

• Hillside Country Club

• Yip Fitness

• Wasted* PBC

• RC Productions

• Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

Your contributions directly fund our mission to raise awareness, provide education, and support our programs.

Looking Ahead

We are planning our next Boston Community Heart Walk for October 11, 2025, along with other exciting initiatives for the coming year. Join us for:

• The Healthy Brown Bag Lunch Hour series (February-May 2025).

• Community Health Summit for Black Boston in June 2025 (Tentatively).

• Boston Community Heart Walk on October 11, 2025.

Your support on Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2024) will empower us to expand our reach and resources to serve even more individuals and families.

Stay Connected

Thank you once again for being part of this incredible journey. Together, we're building a healthier and more connected community. Stay tuned for updates, and join us in making 2025 an even greater success!

With gratitude and hope,

Team HGF