Honorary chairwoman Becki Newton

American Heart Association’s annual Start! Heart Walk kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Sept 12 in two North Texas spots.

In Fort Worth, walkers will meet along the Trinity Trails, and in Dallas, walkers will gather at Victory Park. 

The American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org) anticipates around 15,000 will participate in Fort Worth and 35,000 in Dallas. Funds raised will support cardiovascular research and educational programs.

Serving as the Fort Worth event chairman is Steve Newton, president of Baylor All Saints in Fort Worth, and his niece, Becki Newton, who stars as Amanda in the ABC hit series Ugly Betty, will act as the 2009 celebrity chairwoman. Becki Newton also will co-host an event later this fall to thank fundraisers from the Tarrant County heart walk. In Dallas, Al Carey, president and CEO of Frito Lay, will serve as chairman, while Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert will act as honorary chairman.

 The event’s opening ceremonies begins at 8:30 a.m. with the walk starting at 9 a.m. Activities for families will be placed along the three-mile route.

For more information, check www.TarrantCountyHeartWalk.org or call 817.698.5400.