HomeArcelorMittal Global R&D Center in East Chicago receives recognition
Demonstrating its commitment to industry leadership, the ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development (R&D) team, East Chicago, Ind., was recently awarded the Chanute Prize from the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The R&D group was one of two teams, and six individual inventors recognized with the award.
The ArcelorMittal group received the honor for their collaborative work with Ford and Vari-Form, a hydroform parts producer. This effort helped engineer the 2009 F-150 Truck, with a new hydroformed steel body structure. The project included an industry-first use of a tubular, ultra high-strength steel developed by the ArcelorMittal Global R&D Center.
“This project demonstrates a true spirit of innovation, collaboration and teamwork at ArcelorMittal. We worked across several facilities and organizations to ensure we found the best solution for the customer – showing a commitment to quality and boldness,” said Ravir Bhatnagar, Automotive Platform Manager, Global R&D.
Key components of the project included the development of a “second generation” reverse-strength body structure design for trucks. The design also earned the Henry Ford Technology Award in 2007 and top safety ratings. The advanced steel grades for key components of the body structure are produced at ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor.
“We are pleased to receive this honor as it exemplifies how ArcelorMittal partners with customers to develop solutions to their problems,” said Dick Sussman, General Manager, ArcelorMittal Global R&D. “Innovation must continue to be a priority in Northwest Indiana to ensure this region’s companies and communities advance and prosper.”
Award recipients were selected based on specific criteria and judged by 19 community leaders from Northwest Indiana. The Chanute Prize was named after Octave Chanute, a French-born American railway engineer and symbolic figure in the history of industrial innovation. A pioneer of his time, Chanute was very involved in many early technological advances.
“This was a proud moment for every ArcelorMittal employee and all of Northwest Indiana,” said Mike Heaney, Senior Division Manager, Maintenance, Environment and Utilities (MEU), Indiana Harbor, who attended the awards ceremony. “To be in a room with so many creative, talented and passionate people was humbling.”
Demonstrating its commitment to industry leadership, the ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development (R&D) team, East Chicago, Ind., was recently awarded the Chanute Prize from the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The R&D group was one of two teams, and six individual inventors recognized with the award.
The ArcelorMittal group received the honor for their collaborative work with Ford and Vari-Form, a hydroform parts producer. This effort helped engineer the 2009 F-150 Truck, with a new hydroformed steel body structure. The project included an industry-first use of a tubular, ultra high-strength steel developed by the ArcelorMittal Global R&D Center.
“This project demonstrates a true spirit of innovation, collaboration and teamwork at ArcelorMittal. We worked across several facilities and organizations to ensure we found the best solution for the customer – showing a commitment to quality and boldness,” said Ravir Bhatnagar, Automotive Platform Manager, Global R&D.
Key components of the project included the development of a “second generation” reverse-strength body structure design for trucks. The design also earned the Henry Ford Technology Award in 2007 and top safety ratings. The advanced steel grades for key components of the body structure are produced at ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor.
“We are pleased to receive this honor as it exemplifies how ArcelorMittal partners with customers to develop solutions to their problems,” said Dick Sussman, General Manager, ArcelorMittal Global R&D. “Innovation must continue to be a priority in Northwest Indiana to ensure this region’s companies and communities advance and prosper.”
Award recipients were selected based on specific criteria and judged by 19 community leaders from Northwest Indiana. The Chanute Prize was named after Octave Chanute, a French-born American railway engineer and symbolic figure in the history of industrial innovation. A pioneer of his time, Chanute was very involved in many early technological advances.
“This was a proud moment for every ArcelorMittal employee and all of Northwest Indiana,” said Mike Heaney, Senior Division Manager, Maintenance, Environment and Utilities (MEU), Indiana Harbor, who attended the awards ceremony. “To be in a room with so many creative, talented and passionate people was humbling.”
Steelmaker gets $32 million to produce energy from waste gas
By Bowdeya Tweh - bowdeya.tweh@nwi.com, (219) 933-3316 | Posted: Friday, November 6, 2009 12:00 am
ArcelorMittal is receiving nearly $32 million from a U.S. Department of Energy grant to fund an industrial energy efficiency project at Indiana Harbor East in East Chicago.
The project will install a new recovery boiler to use blast furnace gas generated from iron-making operations to produce electricity and steam on site. The company says the efficient boiler will capture emissions through flaring from the No. 7 blast furnace. The project is expected to help lower energy costs and per ton production costs by using about 46 billion cubic feet of gas that is flared annually.
Michael Rippey, ArcelorMittal USA's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement the project is vital at Indiana Harbor and the energy saved each year can generate enough electricity to power 30,000 homes for a year. Rippey also said the "funding for this critical project will ensure the sustainability of steelmaking in Northwest Indiana for years to come."
The No. 7 blast furnace can produce up to 11,500 tons of hot metal daily, which is the largest production capacity in North America. The blast furnace was built in 1980 and had major renovations in 2003.
The system's startup is expected no later than March 2012.
ArcelorMittal's $31.6 million grant was the only project funded in Indiana and it was the largest award among the more than $155 million in projects the Energy Department funded. The department granted money to 41 projects around the country using stimulus funds. The grants will be leveraged with $634 million in private industry cost sharing.
The industrial sector uses more than 30 percent of U.S. energy and is responsible for nearly 30 percent of U.S. carbon emissions, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Tuesday.
U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind. commended ArcelorMittal and the Energy Department of recognizing the company's efforts in striving to be more energy efficient.
"This Recovery Act grant marks a commitment to Northwest Indiana's steelworkers," Visclosky said. "The project will create jobs now, greatly increase energy efficiency in the steelmaking process and help ensure the competitiveness and viability of Northwest Indiana's steelworkers for years to come.
"I am proud to see the Recovery Act advance this job-creating effort with long-term energy and economic benefits for the region, and commend ArcelorMittal and the Department of Energy for their commitment to Northwest Indiana."
By Bowdeya Tweh - bowdeya.tweh@nwi.com, (219) 933-3316 | Posted: Friday, November 6, 2009 12:00 am
ArcelorMittal is receiving nearly $32 million from a U.S. Department of Energy grant to fund an industrial energy efficiency project at Indiana Harbor East in East Chicago.
The project will install a new recovery boiler to use blast furnace gas generated from iron-making operations to produce electricity and steam on site. The company says the efficient boiler will capture emissions through flaring from the No. 7 blast furnace. The project is expected to help lower energy costs and per ton production costs by using about 46 billion cubic feet of gas that is flared annually.
Michael Rippey, ArcelorMittal USA's president and chief executive officer, said in a statement the project is vital at Indiana Harbor and the energy saved each year can generate enough electricity to power 30,000 homes for a year. Rippey also said the "funding for this critical project will ensure the sustainability of steelmaking in Northwest Indiana for years to come."
The No. 7 blast furnace can produce up to 11,500 tons of hot metal daily, which is the largest production capacity in North America. The blast furnace was built in 1980 and had major renovations in 2003.
The system's startup is expected no later than March 2012.
ArcelorMittal's $31.6 million grant was the only project funded in Indiana and it was the largest award among the more than $155 million in projects the Energy Department funded. The department granted money to 41 projects around the country using stimulus funds. The grants will be leveraged with $634 million in private industry cost sharing.
The industrial sector uses more than 30 percent of U.S. energy and is responsible for nearly 30 percent of U.S. carbon emissions, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Tuesday.
U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind. commended ArcelorMittal and the Energy Department of recognizing the company's efforts in striving to be more energy efficient.
"This Recovery Act grant marks a commitment to Northwest Indiana's steelworkers," Visclosky said. "The project will create jobs now, greatly increase energy efficiency in the steelmaking process and help ensure the competitiveness and viability of Northwest Indiana's steelworkers for years to come.
"I am proud to see the Recovery Act advance this job-creating effort with long-term energy and economic benefits for the region, and commend ArcelorMittal and the Department of Energy for their commitment to Northwest Indiana."
ArcelorMittal employees help to beautify Central Elementary School in Portage, IN
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor employees and their families recently donated their time and talent to plant trees and shrubs and create a butterfly garden at one of the facility’s adopted schools, Central Elementary.
Last spring, Central Elementary’s garden club received a $5,000 grant from a local hardware store to purchase landscaping materials to beautify the front of the school building. Volunteers from ArcelorMittal joined together with students, teachers, parents, and other community groups and leaders for the three day plant-a-thon that began Friday, October 2.
The flower bed was prepared on Friday afternoon. The plants were put into place on Saturday, and the mulching and cleanup took place on Sunday. The finished product is something the school – and the community – can be very proud of for years to come.
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor employees and their families recently donated their time and talent to plant trees and shrubs and create a butterfly garden at one of the facility’s adopted schools, Central Elementary.
Last spring, Central Elementary’s garden club received a $5,000 grant from a local hardware store to purchase landscaping materials to beautify the front of the school building. Volunteers from ArcelorMittal joined together with students, teachers, parents, and other community groups and leaders for the three day plant-a-thon that began Friday, October 2.
The flower bed was prepared on Friday afternoon. The plants were put into place on Saturday, and the mulching and cleanup took place on Sunday. The finished product is something the school – and the community – can be very proud of for years to come.
Chanute Prize goes to ArcelorMittal engineers, Fair Oaks Farms
Times Staff Report | Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 12:00 am
An industry-first use of tubular ultra-high-strength steel developed by ArcelorMittal research-and-development engineers in East Chicago for the roof of the 2009 Ford 150 truck, along with Fair Oaks Farms, were named this year's co-recipients of the Chanute Prize.
This was the first time in two years that co-recipients of the prize to celebrate "21st century team innovation" will be announced by the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The Society is sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest and other principal sponsors.
Also named will be six new Fellows for implementing "out-of-the-box" ideas. These range from launching the first rotary screw PTO air compressor system integrated within a truck chassis that is "safe, dependable and practical," to the first certified residential "green" community in the United States. This also includes a new Fellow to be picked outside of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties -- another Society first.
The Society of Innovators will announce these honorees tonight as part of the 2009-10 class at the Fifth Annual Northwest Indiana Innovation Awards Induction at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.
"We are celebrating 35 individuals and teams that are making a difference through innovation in the region, state and world," J. Guadalupe Valtierra, chancellor of Ivy Tech Northwest said.
An industry-first use of tubular ultra-high-strength steel developed by ArcelorMittal research-and-development engineers in East Chicago for the roof of the 2009 Ford 150 truck, along with Fair Oaks Farms, were named this year's co-recipients of the Chanute Prize.
This was the first time in two years that co-recipients of the prize to celebrate "21st century team innovation" will be announced by the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The Society is sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest and other principal sponsors.
Also named will be six new Fellows for implementing "out-of-the-box" ideas. These range from launching the first rotary screw PTO air compressor system integrated within a truck chassis that is "safe, dependable and practical," to the first certified residential "green" community in the United States. This also includes a new Fellow to be picked outside of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties -- another Society first.
The Society of Innovators will announce these honorees tonight as part of the 2009-10 class at the Fifth Annual Northwest Indiana Innovation Awards Induction at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.
"We are celebrating 35 individuals and teams that are making a difference through innovation in the region, state and world," J. Guadalupe Valtierra, chancellor of Ivy Tech Northwest said.
An industry-first use of tubular ultra-high-strength steel developed by ArcelorMittal research-and-development engineers in East Chicago for the roof of the 2009 Ford 150 truck, along with Fair Oaks Farms, were named this year's co-recipients of the Chanute Prize.
This was the first time in two years that co-recipients of the prize to celebrate "21st century team innovation" will be announced by the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The Society is sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest and other principal sponsors.
Also named will be six new Fellows for implementing "out-of-the-box" ideas. These range from launching the first rotary screw PTO air compressor system integrated within a truck chassis that is "safe, dependable and practical," to the first certified residential "green" community in the United States. This also includes a new Fellow to be picked outside of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties -- another Society first.
The Society of Innovators will announce these honorees tonight as part of the 2009-10 class at the Fifth Annual Northwest Indiana Innovation Awards Induction at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.
"We are celebrating 35 individuals and teams that are making a difference through innovation in the region, state and world," J. Guadalupe Valtierra, chancellor of Ivy Tech Northwest said.
These inductees came from 87 nominations received, which is slightly below last year's record of 91, but contains more individual nominations than last year in which there were more duplicate entries, said Roy Evans, chairman of the Society of Innovators and an assistant professor at Purdue University Calumet.
Selection is based on nominees meeting the Society's criteria for individual and project team innovations, which consists of an individual or team introducing new and different ideas that are implemented and benefit the quality of life of Northwest Indiana, said John Davies, managing director, Society of Innovators.
The new Fellows to be inducted are Frank Brummett, founder of BerylMartin, Griffith; T. Clifford Fleming, an attorney, who created the Village in Burns Harbor; Mark C. Kime, director of Cardiology and Neuroscience at Porter Health, Valparaiso; John "Jack" Moreland, visualization specialist for the Visualization Lab of Purdue University Calumet; Mike Sanders, president of CPX Inc., Kentland; and Patrick A. Wilkins, president of Boss Industries, LaPorte.
The co-recipients of the Chanute Prize are:
* An advanced engineering team involving ArcelorMittal, Ford and Vari-Form in the United States and Canada helped engineer the 2009 F-150 Truck, with a new hydroformed steel body structure.
* Fair Oaks Farms is owned by nine families with 10 dairies and employs 450 employees, along with 00 employees who staff the Fair Oaks Adventure Center. It is the largest dairy farm in the United States and the premiere agricultural destination in Indiana and the Midwest that attracts 400,000 visitors a year. Its uniqueness is that it is visited not only as a showcase for agriculture, but also by leading business organizations that want to learn about its energy and environmental features.
The new Fellows to be inducted are:
* Frank Brummett, founder of BerylMartin, Griffith, was nominated for his "Feed the Future" initiative hosting massive Christmas parties over several years free for thousands of urban children in East Chicago and Gary involving hundreds of volunteers.
* T. Clifford Fleming, an attorney, who created the Village in Burns Harbor, which has been recognized as the first "green" residential community in the Unites States.
* Mark C. Kime, director of Cardiology and Neuroscience at Porter Health, Valparaiso. He created several medically motivated inventions. The I-Mover, along with the endoscope cleaner/sterilizer, are both patented and sold to the medical market, including sales as far away as Australia.
* John "Jack" Moreland, visualization specialist for the Visualization Lab of Purdue University Calumet. Using technology, he helps unravel the complexities of problems affecting engineering, business and the sciences. He has collaborated on projects that have allowed corporations and organizations to get people to think in a new way.
* Mike Sanders, is president of CPX Inc., Kentland, which is one of Newton County's largest employers. Sanders, who grew up visiting the city dump and collecting parts to make Go Carts, gained a passion to learn and a tenacity to succeed. An innovator his entire career, he most recently solved a problem in his own company that eliminated a lot of waste.
* Patrick A. Wilkins, president of Boss Industries, LaPorte. His company is the first to introduce a rotary screw PTO air compressor, generator and hydraulic system integrated within a truck chassis that is safe, dependable and practical for the underground utility industry.
Times Staff Report | Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 12:00 am
An industry-first use of tubular ultra-high-strength steel developed by ArcelorMittal research-and-development engineers in East Chicago for the roof of the 2009 Ford 150 truck, along with Fair Oaks Farms, were named this year's co-recipients of the Chanute Prize.
This was the first time in two years that co-recipients of the prize to celebrate "21st century team innovation" will be announced by the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The Society is sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest and other principal sponsors.
Also named will be six new Fellows for implementing "out-of-the-box" ideas. These range from launching the first rotary screw PTO air compressor system integrated within a truck chassis that is "safe, dependable and practical," to the first certified residential "green" community in the United States. This also includes a new Fellow to be picked outside of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties -- another Society first.
The Society of Innovators will announce these honorees tonight as part of the 2009-10 class at the Fifth Annual Northwest Indiana Innovation Awards Induction at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.
"We are celebrating 35 individuals and teams that are making a difference through innovation in the region, state and world," J. Guadalupe Valtierra, chancellor of Ivy Tech Northwest said.
An industry-first use of tubular ultra-high-strength steel developed by ArcelorMittal research-and-development engineers in East Chicago for the roof of the 2009 Ford 150 truck, along with Fair Oaks Farms, were named this year's co-recipients of the Chanute Prize.
This was the first time in two years that co-recipients of the prize to celebrate "21st century team innovation" will be announced by the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The Society is sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest and other principal sponsors.
Also named will be six new Fellows for implementing "out-of-the-box" ideas. These range from launching the first rotary screw PTO air compressor system integrated within a truck chassis that is "safe, dependable and practical," to the first certified residential "green" community in the United States. This also includes a new Fellow to be picked outside of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties -- another Society first.
The Society of Innovators will announce these honorees tonight as part of the 2009-10 class at the Fifth Annual Northwest Indiana Innovation Awards Induction at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.
"We are celebrating 35 individuals and teams that are making a difference through innovation in the region, state and world," J. Guadalupe Valtierra, chancellor of Ivy Tech Northwest said.
An industry-first use of tubular ultra-high-strength steel developed by ArcelorMittal research-and-development engineers in East Chicago for the roof of the 2009 Ford 150 truck, along with Fair Oaks Farms, were named this year's co-recipients of the Chanute Prize.
This was the first time in two years that co-recipients of the prize to celebrate "21st century team innovation" will be announced by the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. The Society is sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest and other principal sponsors.
Also named will be six new Fellows for implementing "out-of-the-box" ideas. These range from launching the first rotary screw PTO air compressor system integrated within a truck chassis that is "safe, dependable and practical," to the first certified residential "green" community in the United States. This also includes a new Fellow to be picked outside of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties -- another Society first.
The Society of Innovators will announce these honorees tonight as part of the 2009-10 class at the Fifth Annual Northwest Indiana Innovation Awards Induction at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.
"We are celebrating 35 individuals and teams that are making a difference through innovation in the region, state and world," J. Guadalupe Valtierra, chancellor of Ivy Tech Northwest said.
These inductees came from 87 nominations received, which is slightly below last year's record of 91, but contains more individual nominations than last year in which there were more duplicate entries, said Roy Evans, chairman of the Society of Innovators and an assistant professor at Purdue University Calumet.
Selection is based on nominees meeting the Society's criteria for individual and project team innovations, which consists of an individual or team introducing new and different ideas that are implemented and benefit the quality of life of Northwest Indiana, said John Davies, managing director, Society of Innovators.
The new Fellows to be inducted are Frank Brummett, founder of BerylMartin, Griffith; T. Clifford Fleming, an attorney, who created the Village in Burns Harbor; Mark C. Kime, director of Cardiology and Neuroscience at Porter Health, Valparaiso; John "Jack" Moreland, visualization specialist for the Visualization Lab of Purdue University Calumet; Mike Sanders, president of CPX Inc., Kentland; and Patrick A. Wilkins, president of Boss Industries, LaPorte.
The co-recipients of the Chanute Prize are:
* An advanced engineering team involving ArcelorMittal, Ford and Vari-Form in the United States and Canada helped engineer the 2009 F-150 Truck, with a new hydroformed steel body structure.
* Fair Oaks Farms is owned by nine families with 10 dairies and employs 450 employees, along with 00 employees who staff the Fair Oaks Adventure Center. It is the largest dairy farm in the United States and the premiere agricultural destination in Indiana and the Midwest that attracts 400,000 visitors a year. Its uniqueness is that it is visited not only as a showcase for agriculture, but also by leading business organizations that want to learn about its energy and environmental features.
The new Fellows to be inducted are:
* Frank Brummett, founder of BerylMartin, Griffith, was nominated for his "Feed the Future" initiative hosting massive Christmas parties over several years free for thousands of urban children in East Chicago and Gary involving hundreds of volunteers.
* T. Clifford Fleming, an attorney, who created the Village in Burns Harbor, which has been recognized as the first "green" residential community in the Unites States.
* Mark C. Kime, director of Cardiology and Neuroscience at Porter Health, Valparaiso. He created several medically motivated inventions. The I-Mover, along with the endoscope cleaner/sterilizer, are both patented and sold to the medical market, including sales as far away as Australia.
* John "Jack" Moreland, visualization specialist for the Visualization Lab of Purdue University Calumet. Using technology, he helps unravel the complexities of problems affecting engineering, business and the sciences. He has collaborated on projects that have allowed corporations and organizations to get people to think in a new way.
* Mike Sanders, is president of CPX Inc., Kentland, which is one of Newton County's largest employers. Sanders, who grew up visiting the city dump and collecting parts to make Go Carts, gained a passion to learn and a tenacity to succeed. An innovator his entire career, he most recently solved a problem in his own company that eliminated a lot of waste.
* Patrick A. Wilkins, president of Boss Industries, LaPorte. His company is the first to introduce a rotary screw PTO air compressor, generator and hydraulic system integrated within a truck chassis that is safe, dependable and practical for the underground utility industry.
Stepping out to fight heart disease
ELOISE MARIE VALADEZ - eloise.valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365 | Posted: Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:00 am
Next weekend is not only a good time to start on the path to fitness but it's also the perfect opportunity to give to a worthy cause.
More than 1,000 area residents will share a common charitable goal as they gather for Porter County's "Start! Heart Walk" on Sept. 26 at Coffee Creek in Chesterton.
Registration begins at 9 a.m, and participants may choose from a 1-, 2- or 3-mile walk.
The walk, presented by The American Heart Association, will benefit heart and stroke research and the group's community programs.
"From a fundraising standpoint, this is a cause that people are very much aware of. Most people think positively of what the association does," said Dale E. Heinz, walk chairman. Heinz, who's been involved with the Heart Walk since 2003, is also ArcelorMittal's senior division manager of primary operations at Burns Harbor.
Cristina Darr, of Valparaiso, is one of the people who also believes in the association and has witnessed the good it's done. And for the third year in a row, she and her family will participate in the Porter County walk.
Darr's son Colton, 3, was born with a heart defect and because of medical research and new technology, he's been able to live a somewhat normal life.
Colton, who had heart surgery when he was five days old, had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICG) inserted to help restore his heart's rhythm.
"Colt is a great example of why the association and its research is so important," said Darr. "He' s not cured but he's basically been fine because of the device he has."
Darr said money donated to the Heart Association greatly helps in funding research for lifesaving devices, new medicines and procedures. She said in the last two decades great strides have been made in the treatment of and surgeries involving heart disease.
The Darr family, including Cristina, her husband, Mark, little Colt and his siblings, Zane, 7 and Keegan, 5, will participate in the upcoming walk. Cristina and Colt also took part in the Lake County Heart Walk on Sept. 19.
For the Porter County event, the family is planning to walk the 1-mile route.
Darr said Colt was taken on his first Heart Walk in a carrier when he was only four months old.
According to Dale Heinz, it was important for him to be involved with the association and its fundraising walks because of a "personal" experience with the disease.
"My father died from complications from a stroke and my grandfather died of heart disease," Heinz said.
"And on a professional level, I've seen family and friends who have been touched by heart disease," he said.
Heinz said Northwest Indiana residents have been dedicated supporters of the walk for the past 15 years.
In conjunction with the event, a health festival, featuring screenings, giveaways and nutrition information will take place.
Porter County's Start! Heart Walk, 9 a.m. Sept. 26
WHERE: Coffee Creek Center, 850 Sidewalk Road, Chesterton
FYI: (219) 996-4958 or heartwalk.kintera.org/northwestin. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and walk starts at 9:45 a.m.
ELOISE MARIE VALADEZ - eloise.valadez@nwi.com, (219) 933-3365 | Posted: Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:00 am
Next weekend is not only a good time to start on the path to fitness but it's also the perfect opportunity to give to a worthy cause.
More than 1,000 area residents will share a common charitable goal as they gather for Porter County's "Start! Heart Walk" on Sept. 26 at Coffee Creek in Chesterton.
Registration begins at 9 a.m, and participants may choose from a 1-, 2- or 3-mile walk.
The walk, presented by The American Heart Association, will benefit heart and stroke research and the group's community programs.
"From a fundraising standpoint, this is a cause that people are very much aware of. Most people think positively of what the association does," said Dale E. Heinz, walk chairman. Heinz, who's been involved with the Heart Walk since 2003, is also ArcelorMittal's senior division manager of primary operations at Burns Harbor.
Cristina Darr, of Valparaiso, is one of the people who also believes in the association and has witnessed the good it's done. And for the third year in a row, she and her family will participate in the Porter County walk.
Darr's son Colton, 3, was born with a heart defect and because of medical research and new technology, he's been able to live a somewhat normal life.
Colton, who had heart surgery when he was five days old, had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICG) inserted to help restore his heart's rhythm.
"Colt is a great example of why the association and its research is so important," said Darr. "He' s not cured but he's basically been fine because of the device he has."
Darr said money donated to the Heart Association greatly helps in funding research for lifesaving devices, new medicines and procedures. She said in the last two decades great strides have been made in the treatment of and surgeries involving heart disease.
The Darr family, including Cristina, her husband, Mark, little Colt and his siblings, Zane, 7 and Keegan, 5, will participate in the upcoming walk. Cristina and Colt also took part in the Lake County Heart Walk on Sept. 19.
For the Porter County event, the family is planning to walk the 1-mile route.
Darr said Colt was taken on his first Heart Walk in a carrier when he was only four months old.
According to Dale Heinz, it was important for him to be involved with the association and its fundraising walks because of a "personal" experience with the disease.
"My father died from complications from a stroke and my grandfather died of heart disease," Heinz said.
"And on a professional level, I've seen family and friends who have been touched by heart disease," he said.
Heinz said Northwest Indiana residents have been dedicated supporters of the walk for the past 15 years.
In conjunction with the event, a health festival, featuring screenings, giveaways and nutrition information will take place.
Porter County's Start! Heart Walk, 9 a.m. Sept. 26
WHERE: Coffee Creek Center, 850 Sidewalk Road, Chesterton
FYI: (219) 996-4958 or heartwalk.kintera.org/northwestin. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and walk starts at 9:45 a.m.