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By Jill Brown

Monessen's annual Walk in the Park was held on Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by the Monessen Tobacco-Free Coalition, this fun event raises money for the program to help prevent the hazards of smoking. Maurice Rice is coalition chairman.

Organizers are (l –r): Donna Kean, St. Vincent Prevention Project; Carrie Callahan, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and on Coalition; Donna Hatalowich, Monongahela Valley Hospital nurse/health educator; Vickie Oles, Penn State ext.; Back (l – r): Maurice Rice, coalition chairman; and Scipio White, coalition historian.

The first 100 walkers who registered received free t-shirts and pedometers at the Monessen City Park Walking Track. All ages were active in the event. There were many youth taking part in the walk, and that in itself was a victory in the fight against smoking.

The event featured raffles for bikes, crafts, baked goods from Union Baptist Church, information on quitting smoking, health and diabetes information, blood pressure screenings, and information about children's programs. For further info to quit now, call 1-800-784-8669.

Donna Hatalowich, nurse/health educator with Mon Valley Hospital says, "Our goal is to provide information and screenings and promote heath and awareness to Monessen and the mid-Mon Valley."

According to a pamphlet made available called When Smokers Quit, "Quitting smoking lowers the risk of diabetes, lets blood vessels work better and helps the heart and lungs. Quitting while you are younger will reduce your health risks more, but quitting at any age can give back years of life that would be lost by smoking."

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