Heart Month and Ross Dress for Less

This past weekend launched national retailer, Ross Dress for Less’s fundraising campaign for the American Heart Association in honor of heart month, which begins on February first. Both Miss Teen China International, Lauren, and I volunteered at the event in the store’s Rockville, Maryland location. Lauren and I have the same platform, the American Heart Association’s Alliance for a Healthier Generation, so this is the second time we have volunteered together at an AHA event. Today, we gave out flyers with vital information including heart attack warning signs, reminded shoppers that February is “heart month”, and collected donations for the American Heart Association.

I was so impressed by the generosity of those who appeared to have very little, but dug down deeply into their wallets to support the AHA. Some could only donate a quarter or a dollar, but they were willing to help. For a donation of one, five or ten dollars, they were able to fill out a heart sticker with their name and the saying “I lent a hand to fight heart disease and stroke”, which we posted on a wall in the store for all to see.

The store manager acted as an emcee for the event, announcing to shoppers, “The next shopper that donates $7.00 will receive a $10.00 gift card to The Silver Diner!” There was a great deal of excitement in the store. This event will run through the duration of February, which is Heart Month. Last year, Ross raised $2.5 million for the American Heart Association! I hope to be able to return and help out some more, especially since I discovered the deals in their shoe isles. As a self-confessed shoe-aholic, I LOVE shoe shopping and am always in search of the perfect pair at the perfect price, and I’ll admit found a couple of those “perfect pairs” that day, including a new pair of red pumps which will be absolutely perfect for “go red day” on February 4th!

Well, until next time, keep your hearts healthy!

Juliana McKee