“Profit is the result of risks wisely selected.”

— Frederick Barnard Hawley

EAR TO THE GROUND

MORE THAN 500 area residents will participate in the American Heart Association’s Tennessee Valley Start Heart Walk on Oct. 4 at AT&T Field, said Stan Gilbert, American Heart Association spokesman.

The non-competitive, three-mile walk touring downtown Chattanooga begins at 9 a.m.

“The event is designed to raise awareness and funds to support research and educational programs to fight heart disease and stroke,” he said.

While at the walk, participants will enjoy a chili cook-off, 32-foot inflatable obstacle course, play area with Discovery Toys, face painting and more.

The event will feature three “villages” where participants gather before and after the walk: Create Hope, Inspire Change and Celebrate Success.

Create Hope brings together survivors and others who have made healthy lifestyle changes; Inspire Change encourages participants to reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke by making healthy lifestyle changes such as exercising more and eating better, and the Celebrate Success Village will highlight and celebrate people and companies that have made significant changes to lead a heart-healthy life.

To participate in the walk, visit americanheart.org/chattanooga or call 763-4400.

TOASTS

MEMBERS OF the Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma recently honored Bobbie Ruth Hodges for her 50 years of membership in the organization.

Chapter president Janice Nelms presented the honoree with a certificate.

“She was also presented with a Peace Lily plant and many Delta Kappa Gamma items,” said Serie Bland, secretary of Alpha Chapter.

“Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education,” Ms. Bland said, noting that the chapter was founded 1937, making it the first Delta Gappa Gamma chapter in Tennessee.

“Bobbie Ruth taught in Hamilton County for 38 years at Central High School and Hixson High School,” she said. “During her teaching career, she received numerous awards which included two Evans Foundation Master Teacher awards, The Teacher’s Medal from the Freedom’s Foundation, the Laura Brock Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Central High Distinguished Alumni Award.”

She has served as treasurer for the chapter and is currently the telephone committee chairwoman.

GROUNDBREAKING NEWS

THE BOYS AND GIRLS Clubs of Chattanooga recently celebrating a grand opening of the its new Highland Park Facility. The 8,000 square-foot unit in Highland Park is capable of serving more than 900 boys and girls, offering kids between the ages of 6 and 18 a positive, safe and fun environment to enjoy, said event spokesman Brian Baker with The Johnson Group.

The facility was dedicated to club president Michael Cranford in honor of his nearly 40 years of service, Mr. Baker said.

“As president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chattanooga, Mr. Cranford has been recognized nationally for his work in shaping the lives of Chattanooga’s youth. Recently, Mr. Cranford was awarded the 2008 Thomas G. Garth Character and Courage Award,” he said.

“The construction of this new facility is a testament to Mr. Cranford’s steadfast commitment to the Chattanooga community. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from UNUM, computer classes will be provided at a state-of-the-art technology lab to help kids bridge the digital divide and prepare for the future. And, kids will also be able to participate in a highly successful homework assistance program called Power Hour, which has been supported by a $25,000 grant from Charity Projects Entertainment Fund and American Idol’s charity effort, Idol Gives Back.”

For more information about Boys and Girls Clubs of Chattanooga, visit bgccha.org.

FUNDRAISER

LIFE CARE Centers of America’s corporate offices in Cleveland hosted a luncheon for the local community, kicking off the Operation Christmas Child collection season for 2008, said Heidi Tompkins, Life Care Centers communications coordinator.

Operation Christmas Child volunteers collects gift-filled shoe boxes to be delivered to needy children around the world, according to a news release.

Beecher Hunter, Life Care president, and Josh Hill, Life Care shipping supervisor, spoke at the luncheon. Laura Fleischmann, Life Care public relations assistant, offered a song of dedication, and special guest Jim Harrelson, Samaritan’s Purse’s vice president of Operation Christmas Child, spoke in appreciation of the Cleveland/Chattanooga region’s yearly high level of involvement, Ms. Tompkins said.

Mr. Harrelson said they hope to collect 8 million shoe boxes this year.

“Participating is easy,” she said. “Simply fill a sturdy shoe box (or other similarly sized storage box) with a mix of small toys, hard candy, school supplies and personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap. You may also include a picture of yourself to create a personal connection with the child who receives the box. In addition, Samaritan’s Purse asks that participants tape $7 to the inside of the box top to cover shipping and transportation charges.”

Finished boxes will be collected at Life Care’s corporate offices and local Life Care facilities through Nov. 24. They are distributed to children in war-torn and poverty-stricken countries by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham, the information noted.

Box labels specifying boy or girl and age range are available at Life Care’s corporate offices and at samaritanspurse.org. For more information call (423) 473-5011.

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