$185,000 Raised at Annual Heart Health Walk in June
It was a Colorado bluebird day as more than 500 participants, volunteers, vendor festival representatives, employees, friends, and family members walked, ran, and enjoyed live entertainment and healthy food during The 7th Annual Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk (RAM Walk) on June 11th at Carter Park in Breckenridge. The event is organized by Breckenridge Grand Vacations’ (BGV) philanthropic program, BGV Gives, in honor of the late BGV Owner/developer Rob Millisor. A committed philanthropist and community supporter, Rob passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest in 2015 while on a humanitarian trip to Nepal following a devastating earthquake there that year.
The success of the event can be seen and felt in the outpouring of support from community partners such as the Breckenridge Restaurant Association, the Town of Breckenridge, Recreation Department, BreckCreate, and the Red, White, and Blue Fire Department who came together to make this event fun for the entire family. Children’s activities, live entertainment, a 5K trail run and hike, and a 1-mile walk around town not only provide the opportunity for some morning exercise, but also the chance to support the Rob Millisor Heart Health Fund at The Summit Foundation. One hundred percent of every dollar raised at the event goes to the Heart Health Fund because Mike Millisor and Mike Dudick, owner/developers of Breckenridge Grand Vacations, cover all the expenses every year.
In 2021, just the sixth year of the event, a landmark $1 million in total funds raised was achieved. The 2022 event added another $185,000 to the fund, the second largest amount generated since 2016 and the event’s inaugural year following Rob’s tragic death just eight months earlier. This year, 33 sponsors contributed $165,750 to the Walk. An additional four sponsors provided $7,000 in trade and in-kind services. Registration fees and donations from participants and supporters were added to the final tally.
Grants and sponsorships awarded from the Heart Health Fund are used to support heart health programs, projects, research, and equipment as well as nonprofit organizations that provide critical programs and services at the heart of our community. Grant funding is as unique and varied as the organizations that are supported. From purchasing and locating AED units throughout the community through Starting Hearts to supporting the Keystone Science School CATCH Afterschool Program to CPR/DEFIB education to start-up funding for the High Altitude Research Center (HARC), funds awarded and programs supported make a difference and save lives. To date, more than $900,000 has been distributed to these and other important community programs.
Minimizing the environmental impact of these events is also important to BGV. The company strives to eliminate as much waste as possible going to the landfill. At this year’s RAM Walk, of the 1,198 pounds of waste generated at the event, only 250 pounds was landfill-bound giving a 79% waste diversion rate.
Mark your calendars now and save the date for the 2023 Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk on Saturday, June 10.
About BGV Gives
Founded in 2016, the BGV Gives Program was established to facilitate and further extend Breckenridge Grand Vacations’ philanthropic reach and impact in Summit County and the surrounding area. Inspired by the late BGV Owner/Developer, Rob Millisor, this charitable program honors his example of service to others by supporting the local nonprofit community. BGV is excited and humbled to continue Rob’s legacy of giving through fundraising, sponsorships, grants, volunteering, and in-kind donations on behalf of those in need, with a primary focus on health, human services, and education. With guidance from the BGV Gives Program Manager, Deb Edwards, this program is committed to growing BGV’s local contributions and inspiring fellow community members to give more by providing resources and opportunities to help others in need.
