Heartstrings 2014
Date: May 25, 2014 1:00 PM


About:
History
Heartstrings started in 2003 out of concern for the uninsured patients in Buncombe County and the high cost of medication. Wanting to find a way to help patients who could not afford to purchase medications, Kacy Black, a local Spinning® instructor, worked with the Buncombe County Medical Society (now the Western Carolina Medical Society) to create a day-long indoor exercise bicycle event to raise money for Project Access™.
When the Heartstrings founder left to pursue other charitable interests, the participants stepped down from the bikes, yet kept up the momentum that had been built over seven successful years. In 2014 Heartstrings will be held at the Mountain Sports Festival and will be a Family Fun Challenge
Family teams of two to six participants, ages 5 & up, will have the chance to try six fun fitness challenges:
Fun Noodle Javelin Throw
Frisbee Golf
An Obstacle Course
Dress Up Clothes Relay
Stocking Soccer
A 3-Legged Race
Every family will receive a stamp on their passport each time they complete a challenge. Once the passport is completed, the families will head to the finish line and receive a medal and family photo.
Why Project Access® Matters
WCMS Project Access® is a coordinated system of charity care provided to the low-income uninsured people of Buncombe County through the donation of services by 500+ Western Carolina Medical Society physicians, Mission Hospital and supplies through Advanced Home Care. In addition, area pharmacies waive part of their charges and professionals such as interpreters and chiropractors donate their services.
A primary goal of the Affordable Care Act was to help the 17% uninsured and eligible in North Carolina gain access to quality, affordable healthcare. Unfortunately, there are thousands of Buncombe County residents who are too poor (fall 100% below the FPL) to qualify for the Affordable Care Act. And because North Carolina did not expand Medicaid to cover 100% of low income adults, there is an even greater need for WCMS's groundbreaking Project Access® program which provides quality health care from a network of physicians who donate their time, resources and expertise without reimbursement to help more than 3,000 individuals per year.
Project Access provides a critical safety net to thousands of Buncombe County residents who are not able to afford the critical healthcare they need. These residents are your friends, your neighbors and your co-workers.
Meeting the Need
Since 1996, when Project Access® began, Buncombe County Commissioners have been the primary funding partners for administrative and medication assistance for Project Access. The ongoing annual allocations from the County go a long way in funding Project Access. However, as the number of uninsured in our community increases, so does the need for more services. HeartStrings is one of the ways we work to meet these growing needs.
The Heartstrings 2014 Planning Committee
Very special thanks go out to our Planning Committee members:
-
Mike Peterson- Committee Chair, Asheville Radiology Associates
-
Kata Bates, Twang Creative
-
David Hart, Paragon Financial
-
Alex Diez, Volunteer
-
Emilee Dickerson, WCMS Development Council
-
Austin Walker, Whitney Commerical Real Estate
-
Jess McCuan, The Scene
-
Melissa Pennscott, Johnson Price Sprinkle
-
Janet Oppenheimer, Blossman Gas
-
Anna Smathers, First Citizens
-
Grant Osborne, Ward and Smith
-
Emma Tax, Twang Creative Intern
-
Bill Smith, TD Bank
-
Johanna Stebbins, ResCare Home Care
-
Ashley Woodring, Parsec Financial
-
Spencer Fountain, WCMS Development Council
-
Julia Lockamy, WCMS
Event Details
When & Where:
Sunday, May 25th 2014
1:00pm - 4:00pm
The Mountain Sports Festival at Carrier Park
Asheville, NC
Participants:
Family teams of 2 – 6 participants. Ages 5 & up
Cost:
With a minimum donation of $5, the Heartstrings Family Friendly Challenge at the Mountain Sports Festival is a super fun and affordable way for families to spend Memorial Day Sunday. Most importantly, it's a great way for the community to help Project Access® patients get the healthcare they need.
Purpose:
Proceeds from HeartStrings benefit Project Access®, a WCMSF program providing health care to low-income, uninsured patients in Buncombe County.
How can I help?
Register to participate and then raise additional dollars from your friends, family, co-workers, folks out on the street, etc.
If you have a business, consider becoming a sponsor or donate an item for the Heartstrings raffle.
Or, you can donate to the event.
Register:
Online registration is faster and easier than ever! Just click the button below and follow the instructions:
Register Now
Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Read about our sponsorship opportunities.
HeartStrings 2014 is proudly sponsored by:





Clark Communications



.jpg)

.jpg)

Special thanks to:



Raffle Donors:
Cinebarre
ClimbMax Climbing Center
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Papa Murphy's
Bonsai Ventures Asheville, LLC
Werner Paddle
Green River Adventures
Alex Diez
Sheri Atkins
Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe
Charlotte Street Computers
Media:
HeartStrings 2014 Press Release
For more information about Heartstrings for media outlets, please contact Julia Lockamy at julia@mywcms.org or 274-2267 ext 315.