By David Yarger
Tribune Editor
On Monday morning at Forestview Active Living, 3959 Forest Park Way, Wheatfield, the Calamar Foundation presented a check of $7,375.29 to the American Heart Association.
Gay Molnar, president of the Calamar Foundation, was on hand to present the check over to Marc Natale, executive director of the American Heart Association.
The AHA, according to its website, carries "A shared focus on cardiovascular health (which) unites our more than 33 million volunteers and supporters as well as our more than 3,400 employees.
"Our size and scope let us have real impact. We have invested more than $4.1 billion in research, more than any U.S. nonprofit organization."
The Calamar Foundation, according to its website, "Was established in the hopes of making a difference in our communities by partnering with national charitable organizations, whose mission is to fund research, programs, education and the advancement of a cure for diseases that negatively effect our friends and families."
Funds were raised by the residents at Forestview Active Living and residents of over 55 Calamar independent living facilities. In total, funds raised by the facilities was over $11,000. Calamar also matched the donation, bringing the total up to $22,125. The total was divided by three, as checks were presented at three locations to three different charities. The first was at Forestview towards the AHA, the second was at Maple Ridge Estates in Bedford, New Hampshire, towards the American Cancer Society, and the third was at The Grand Estates in Olathe, Kansas, towards the Alzheimer's Association.
Check presentations were made during the week of Aug. 20, which coincides with National Senior Citizens Day on Aug. 21, according to a release from Calamar.
Residents of Forestview were also able to watch the presentation, as well as enjoy a small party.
In a release, Molnar said, "Calamar takes pride in giving back and investing in our communities where we work and live. This has always been, and will continue to be, an important part of Calamar's core ideology and values since our founding in 1990. Calamar's roots have long included philanthropic interests throughout our local, regional and national scene. Creating this foundation came at a time when Calamar continues to grow across the U.S."
Upon receiving the donation, Natale was grateful, and said donations like these are huge towards the AHA's mission.
"We can't do our work alone," Natale said. "Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in our region and nationally ... and when we look around at the population we're at now, heart failure is No. 2. Our work is without question but, we can't do it alone. It's donations from caring organizations like the Calamar Foundation and the individual residents donating to this. That makes all that possible. ...
"Everywhere from birth to cane, we work across this community and it's such a large lift that we depend on the community to help us with it, from volunteers to donations. This is a fantastic partnership that Calamar has founded and it's awesome to be a part of."
Molnar and Natale pose for a group shot with residents of Forestview who raised funds for the AHA.