AMHERST – The 10th Annual Awareness Day – the heart-health campaign slated for this Thursday at the Amherst Stadium – is held in memory of the late Ron Elliott Jr. and organizers have added some history to their wake up call.
Hundreds of photographs of Amherst homes taken in 1950 have been catalogued and organized by Ron’s father, Ron Elliott Sr., for Amherst residence to choose from and order photo reprints.
“There’s over 1,000 photos of homes from 62 years ago to chose from,” event co-organizer Terry MacManaman said. “It’s just another way to help raise awareness in Ron’s memory.”
Ron passed away 13 years ago playing hockey in New Brunswick when he suffered a heart attack. At that time, the Amherst Labatt Lights –now sponsored by Wood Gundy CIBC – and the Amherst Fun Timers began holding a tournament in Ron’s memory and to promote getting a check up, regardless of age or physical skill level, which grew into the Awareness Day.
They started handing out “Wake Up Call” cards to remind people their health is important and worth getting check up and have kept Ron’s spirit alive by reminding people their time is also precious.
“It doesn’t matter if your in good health or not, get a check up” MacManaman said.
The 10th Annual Awareness Day takes place Thursday beginning at 1 p.m. at the Amherst Stadium.
Special guest Len O’Halloran, author of Four Miracles, will be escorted to the stadium from 227 Victoria East. On arrival, he will be piped into the stadium and sign the Amherst Recreation Hockey team register along with his wife Anna and then sign copies of his story. Representatives from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia will also be on hand.
Hockey games will follow, while the photo display will open at 2 p.m.
A free skate is being offered to everyone from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
