This weekend, Moorpark College is participating in the American Heart Association’s 2022 Ventura County Heart Walk Fundraiser.

The annual event will be taking place this Saturday, Oct. 8 in the Memorial Field at California Lutheran University. The fundraiser starts at 7:30 a.m. and the walk will commence at 8:30 a.m., lasting until noon.

To participate in the Heart Walk, individuals can create a team, join a team or walk alone. The fundraiser will also include drum circle performances, Zumba demonstrations, live music, a photo booth and a hands-only CPR demonstration. Attendees can receive free health-related items from vendors and booths present at the event.

Mara Rodriguez, the zoo development coordinator at Moorpark College and the 2022 Classified Employee of the Year for the Ventura County Community College District, is the team captain for the Moorpark College Raiders at this year’s Heart Walk fundraiser.

“I was in the initial planning meetings and wanted to contribute my energy and enthusiasm to enhance the experience and help the cause,” Rodriguez said. “The college asked if I would serve as the team captain, and of course, I said yes!”

There will be two route options for Heart Walk participants. One route is a half-mile stretch while the other is two miles long. The fundraiser is free to attend, but online registration by Friday, Oct. 7 is required to participate in the walk. People of all ages are allowed to participate and service animals are permitted at the event.

Everyone attending the event is encouraged by the American Heart Association to bring their own reusable water bottle as there will be water refill stations available. All parking is free on campus and in neighborhood streets. There will be two main parking areas: Lot A and Lot B. For more detailed parking directions, click here.

This year’s Heart Walk, sponsored by UCLA Health and AMGEN, has over 438 walkers attending. 22 of those attendees are on the Moorpark College Raiders Heart Walk team. These Raiders have raised over $5,000 in donations for the American Heart Association.

Companies such as Bank of America, AMGEN and Adventist Health Simi Valley have raised over $35,000 for the American Heart Association within the last few days. The organization’s donation goal is currently set at $150,000. As of right now, around $129,000 have been raised.

All the donations raised at the Ventura County Heart Walk will go to the American Heart Association. These funds will be used for lifesaving research, community programs and advocacy efforts directed towards treating and preventing heart disease and strokes.

For more information about the Ventura County Heart Walk and how to donate or register, click here.