Registration now open for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, scheduled in five locations throughout Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration for the annual Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community is now open for its five walk sites in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Bethlehem, Erie and Johnstown, Pa. Since the event's inception in 2003, Highmark has helped 200 Pennsylvania nonprofit health and human service organizations raise more $5.5 million. 

"We are excited to continue hosting this community event and underwriting 100 percent of the associated costs, so that all participating organizations can keep every dollar that they raise to support their programs," said Dan Onorato, Highmark executive vice president, chief external affairs and communications officer. "Our goal is to help foster community collaboration that enables organizations to thrive in providing services that benefit individuals across the state."

The Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community is as a way for nonprofit organizations to work synergistically to raise funds to support their community missions. Since Highmark underwrites all costs associated with the event, participating organizations truly feel the impact of their fundraising efforts because there is no underlying cost for them to participate

The event consists of an all accessible 5K route and a one-mile fun walk. All locations offer free parking, refreshments, entertainment and prize drawings.

Those interested in participating for the walk can register by visiting the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community website, www.walkforahealthycommunity.org, and clicking on their region and selecting the organization of their choice.

The walks will be held at the following locations:

• Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 18 at Stage AE                
• Harrisburg, Saturday, May 18 at HACC                               
• Johnstown, Saturday, June 1 at Central Park                       
• Erie, Saturday, June 8 at Presque Park
• Bethlehem, Saturday, June 15 at the Steel Stacks campus

For more information, visit www.walkforahealthycommunity.org.

About Highmark
Highmark Inc. is a national diversified health and wellness company based in Pittsburgh that serves 34.4 million people across the United States through its businesses in health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, information technology and integrated health care delivery. The company, which has more than 20,000 employees, is among the largest health insurers in the U.S. and the fourth-largest Blue Cross and Blue Shield-affiliated company. Highmark operates health insurance plans in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia that serve 4.9 million members.

The company also offers health and wellness products to clients with employees throughout the country and is a recognized leader in reinsurance. In addition, Highmark operates more than 600 optical retail stores (Visionworks) and four U.S.-based eyewear manufacturing facilities. Highmark is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

SOURCE Highmark