Florida Citrus Sports Raises $15,000 for the AHA in Tom Mickle’s Honor

Florida Citrus Sports, in an effort to honor its former executive director, shifted its efforts from the gridiron to the streets of Downtown Orlando when it participated in the American Heart Association’s annual “Start! Heart Walk” this past Saturday and raised more than $15,000.

More than 35 members of FCSports (members and staff), host of the Capital One Bowl and Champs Sports Bowl, showed up in full force for the “Start! Heart Walk!” in an effort to help eradicate heart disease and stroke, the No.1 killers of men and women and the No. 2 killer of children in the United States.

“The walk stresses the importance of routine physical activity as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle while generating charitable contributions to fund critical cardiovascular research, and FCSports is thrilled to have participated in this great event,” said Steve Hogan, executive director of FCSports.

The cause hits close to home for Hogan and others involved with FCSports. Former executive director Tom Mickle succumbed to a heart attack while battling kidney cancer in April of 2006. In his memory, FCSports coined its involvement in the event “Walk with the Mick.”

“Since the first bowl game in 1947, our organization has worked hard to support charities in our community, including our own summer camp for kids.

Now I’ve asked our members to honor Tom’s memory and help support another worthy cause,” added Hogan.

FCSports surpassed its goal and raised over $15,000 for the “Start! Heart Walk.” All proceeds benefited the American Heart Association’s enhancement of research and education programs in the Greater Orlando Area.