Contact: Gayla Kirshner, (713) 721-4774, gayla@gcomworks.com
Janesville, Wis. March 23, 2016 – Blain’s Farm & Fleet is proud to support the American Heart Association (AHA) with a donation of over $313,000 from fall 2014 to spring 2015 ranking them the 3rd retailer nationally, just behind Wal-Mart and HSN and 9th company nationally for funds raised. The company has now raised over $4M for the AHA since they began their efforts.
In 1993, co-Founder of Blain’s Farm and Fleet, Bert Blain and his daughter Jane Blain Gilbertson were asked to co-chair the first Heart Walk in Janesville. Sadly, Bert passed away just days before, bringing the reason for the Heart Walk even more meaningful to those who knew him.
“After my dad passed, it was important to go on with the first walk as planned, as hard as it may have been,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson, now President and CEO of Blain’s Farm and Fleet. “but, it’s an honor to share our family’s story and spread the awareness and importance of the fight against heart disease.”
The following year the Heart Walk was named in honor of Bert, the second of only two Heart Walks named after an individual. This fall will mark the 24th annual Bert Blain Memorial Heart Walk, continuing to grow in sponsorships and donations each year. Along with the Heart Walk, Blain’s Farm and Fleet associates, vendors and friends continue to show their support with events throughout the year, including their two day golf outing. With these efforts, Blain’s Farm and Fleet is ranked 3rd nationally, quite a large feat for a company with just about 4,000 associates. The company is also proud of one individual, sporting goods buyer, Rick Curley, ranked 2nd in the nation for his efforts to raise money and awareness.
In addition, the company’s distribution center and all 36 Blain’s Farm and Fleet stores are fully equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AED). To supply each location with one of these machines in hopes to never use them was not a cheap decision but the only decision. They sat unused for many years but with the aid of the AED’s and the CPR trained staff, four lives were saved, making Blain’s Farm and Fleet truly one of the safest places to work and shop.
“Family will always come first at Blain’s Farm & Fleet. Each year I meet amazing people who are somehow touched by heart disease whether they have lost a loved one or have overcome it themselves. I am so proud of our company and community for coming together and continuing to make a difference,” adds Blain Gilbertson.
Founded in 1955, Blain’s Farm & Fleet stores are specialty discount retailers with 36 locations throughout Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to offering customers high quality products, competitive prices and reliable service. Visit www.farmandfleet.com.
