2021 Virtual Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community registration now open

PITTSBURGH (February 4, 2021) — Highmark Inc. and community members will once again come together virtually across Pennsylvania and Delaware to raise money for the 260 local nonprofit health and human services organizations participating in the annual Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. Online registration for the walk is now open, so participants can take their first step toward completing this year's walk by registering today. This year’s event will mirror last year’s virtual format, coupled with an online fundraising option due to the ongoing COVID-19 virus situation.

“ The year 2020 presented us with a myriad of challenges, including how to safely engage our community and raise money that was needed more than ever to support friends, family and neighbors,” said Evan Frazier, senior vice president of community affairs, Highmark Health.  “While we wish we could see everyone in-person to celebrate the efforts of all who participate in this event, we are very excited to launch the 2021 Virtual Highmark Walk. This enables us to keep everyone safe and healthy, and allows our nonprofit partners to continue providing the services and resources essential to our communities’ health and well-being.”

Walkers can register and donate now at the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community website, where they can select their walk location and the participating nonprofit of their choice.   Highmark organizes and underwrites all costs associated with the event, while the participating nonprofits then keep 100 percent of the funds raised by their supporters.

The Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, held annually throughout the region since 2003, has helped organizations collectively raise nearly $16 million. Last year, nonprofits in Pittsburgh, Laurel Highlands, Erie, Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Wilmington, Delaware raised nearly one million dollars in a completely online virtual format.

Participants may take their first virtual steps anytime, by walking on a treadmill, in a park or simply around their neighborhood.  To learn more and for a full listing of participating organizations, visit www.walkforahealthycommunity.org.  Donations will be accepted through July 15, 2021.