Party City Toasts American Heart Month with 'Cheers to Your Health'

ROCKAWAY, N.J., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Party City, America's largest party specialty retailer, gives consumers something extra special to celebrate as it announces its new support of the American Heart Association's "Go Red For Women®" movement. Starting today through Feb. 28, 2010, Party City customers can support the cause through dollar donations, which will be collected at the registers of its more than 600 retail stores.

To kick off its support, Party City has issued a national "Cheers to Your Health" 28-day challenge encouraging consumers to take a few moments every day to celebrate in February. The party experts at Party City created a "Cheers to Your Health" calendar of activities to remind Americans to take active steps toward healthier lives – and that it can be as easy as celebrating "Laugh Out Loud Day," which is Feb. 1, 2010.

The American Heart Association recognizes that laughter and healthy habits such as physical activity can protect you from the harmful effects of stress. In fact, studies show that laughter boost levels of endorphins, the body's "feel-good" hormones; quickens the pulse rate, stimulates the blood circulation, activates muscles, increases oxygen intake and helps you relax. By simply acting out the activities listed in the "Cheers to Your Health" calendar, women can help lower stress levels.

"Women are at the heart of our business as Party City customers include mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, brides and other women who plan special events throughout the year, and by supporting the 'Go Red For Women®' movement, we're able to encourage these women in a very important way," says Lisa Laube, president of Party City. "Heart disease is a serious issue, but the 28-day challenge is a fun way to remind our customers to laugh, spend time with loved ones and celebrate the little things in life … all for the good of their overall well-being."

Party City is embracing its 28-day challenge at its corporate headquarters in Rockaway, N.J., where more than 225 associates were invited to "know their numbers" by getting evaluated by nurses for heart disease risks, such as high blood pressure. Additionally, everyday of the month, the company will live out the "Cheers to Your Health" calendar, offering mini heart-healthy celebrations to all employees, from hosting a dance party to throwing a viewing party of funny movie clips.  

"Our new relationship with Party City will allow us to reach even more women as we fight their number one killer, heart disease" said Neil Meltzer, American Heart Association Board Chairman and President and COO, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. "We are grateful for Party City's enthusiasm and dedication to this cause, which will provide support to Go Red For Women, so more resources can be made available that give women the knowledge to make life-saving choices everyday."

For more information about the "Cheers to Your Health" challenge or to download an activity calendar, visit PartyCity.com or the company's Facebook page (facebook.com/partycity). For health tips and more information about the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement, visit GoRedForWomen.org.

About Party City

Party City Corporation is America's largest specialty party goods chain and the country's premier Halloween specialty retailer. Party City operates more than 600 company-owned and franchise stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Party City is a division of Amscan Holdings, Inc. (AHI) and has its headquarters in Rockaway, New Jersey. Amscan designs, manufactures and distributes party goods through its vertically aligned retailers as well as other retailers worldwide. Amscan's worldwide locations include their corporate headquarters in Elmsford, NY as well as locations throughout Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia. Amscan operates seven state of the art distribution centers throughout the world and six manufacturing facilities domestically. Product is manufactured both in the United States and overseas.

About Go Red For Women

Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's solution to save women's lives. With one out of three women still dying from heart disease, we are committed to fighting this No. 1 killer that is largely preventable. GoRedForWomen.org, a premiere source of information and education, connects millions of women of all ages and gives them tangible resources to turn personal choices into life-saving actions. We encourage women and the men who love them to embrace the cause. For more information please visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-888- MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278). The movement is nationally sponsored by Macy's and Merck & Co., Inc.

About the American Heart Association

Founded in 1924, we're the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers — we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.

SOURCE Party City