Frequently Asked Questions

Donation FAQs

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

EVENT DETAILS:

  • Saturday, May 3, 2025
  • Sunken Meadow State Park, Field 1
  • 9:30 AM: Registration and Activities
    • We suggest arriving at 9:30 am to enjoy the festivities!
  • 10:30 AM:  Opening Ceremony begins at approximately 10:30 AM which includes:
    • Remarks from Long Island Heart families
    • A moment of silence for heart warriors
    • Words from Dr. Laurie S. Panesar, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
    • A celebration of our top fundraisers with help from Kristen Rosario, Miss Long Island 2025 and Adriana Lane, Miss Long Island Teen 2025
  • 11:00 AM:  Walk Starts!

PARKING:
We have plenty of parking! When you enter the park, turn right at the traffic circle. The event will take place at the far end of the park by the playground and basketball court.  Please note that Long Island Parks has a parking fee of $8 per car after 8:00 am.

EVENT LOCATION:
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HEART ANGEL REMEMBRANCE
Heart Angel families are invited to bring a photo or other remembrance for display at our Peace and Memorial tent; materials to leave messages will also be available. <3

EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE!
The Walk will be held rain or shine - please dress for the weather.  It can get very windy on the beach, so please dress in layers!
 

REGISTRATION

  • If you are receiving this email, you are confirmed as a registered participant. However, please kindly inform your friends and family that donating to our cause (or to your team) does not automatically enroll them for the walk. Official registration is required to participate in the walk day festivities.
  • Registration, along with our event site and activities, will open at 9:30 AM. We recommend arriving when registration opens at 9:30 AM to enjoy all of our fun activities!  We also ask everyone to arrive prior to 10:15 AM and check in at the registration area - registration is required for all participants over the age of 2. Making sure that all of your team members are pre-registered online will help to speed up the check-in process.
  • You may check in using your QR code in your participant center, or by providing your name to a check-in volunteer.
  • If you are registered online, we will check you in, we’ll accept any donations that you may have to turn in (Cash, Check, or Credit Card), and direct you to pick up your walk t-shirt if you have raised over $100 as an INDIVIDUAL. (If you have earned a higher level incentive, you will receive an e-mail approximately 4 weeks after our event to claim your fundraising reward and can continue to fundraise until the deadline to qualify for your preferred incentive item!).
  • If someone has not registered online, they will be asked to complete a paper registration form and sign our event waiver. 
  • There is a limited amount of merch available for a donation at Registration so be sure to check it out!
  • Please drop off your sneakers for donation by the Merch area at the registration tent (more info below)
  • After check-in/registration, ENJOY some fun activities!
     

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON MAY 3RD: 

  • A beautiful remembrance of our Heart Angels and celebration of our Heart Warriors
  • Dance along with the beats from our live DJ
  • Remarks from Dr. Laurie E. Panesar, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiology Vice Chair and Ambulatory Operations at Stony Brook Children's Hospital
  • Meet and greets with Kristen Rosario, Miss Long Island 2025, and Adriana Lane, Miss Long Island Teen 2025 along with some fun characters from A Moment of Magic
  • Visit the adorable Teddy Bear Hospital tent - an initiative from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine that creates a nurturing environment where children learn about healthcare through imaginative play while building positive associations with medical care
  • Learning lifesaving CPR and AED tips from the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation* (*weather permitting)
  • Brightening a child’s day by creating a handmade Get Well Card
  • Get your face painted in fabulous colors
  • Try your luck at some carnival games
  • Try some iced coffee or iced tea from Sail Away Coffee
  • Used sneaker donation/drop off - clean out your closet and help raise funds for CHDs
  • Our signature Heart Walk with the Long Island CHD community!

 

PROGRAM
We will begin our walk program from the stage at approximately 10:30 AM.  Please gather in front of the stage to remember our heart angels, celebrate our heart warriors and learn about how your efforts are making a big difference in congenital heart defect research.  We encourage you to arrive at 9:30 AM to enjoy the activities prior to the start of our program!
 

OUR 3 TOP TEAMS!
Our top 3 teams will receive their own team tent! The team captains of the highest fundraising teams will be notified on Friday, May 2nd after 3pm.  This tent will include a table and chairs and can be used as a meeting area for your team throughout the event. We appreciate all of your fundraising efforts!!
 

REMINDER: CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET AND DONATE YOUR SNEAKERS ON MAY 3RD!
Did you know that your gently worn sneakers could help The Children’s Heart Foundation’s mission?  Well, they can and here’s how…You can support our fundraising efforts (in partnership with GotSneakers) by simply donating your gently worn, used, or new sneakers!  Do some spring cleaning - check your closets, ask neighbors, friends and co-workers, or even ask on social media - Every pair counts!  Bring your sneakers on May 3rd to donate and help raise money to support CHD research AND help our environment by keeping sneakers out of landfills.

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NOTES

  • There will be garbage receptacles available throughout the park. Please help keep the park clean.
  • Restrooms will be available by the main building
  • We will have light refreshments, but please feel free to bring your own snacks!

 

Walk Details

  • Distance: Approximately 1 mile
  • Format: Rain or shine events (severe weather updates provided if needed)
  • Course maps: Available on the Event Home page

What to Bring/What's Allowed:

  • Strollers: Welcome
  • Heart Warrior/Angel photos: Display areas provided
  • Coolers: Permitted (non-alcoholic beverages/food only, unless restricted by venue)

Refreshments:

  • Light refreshments available

Photos:

  • Event photos will be posted as soon as they are available
  • Professional photography services at select locations

Want to Get Involved?

Mailing in checks?

  • Please make checks and money orders payable to The Children's Heart Foundation.
  • Mail to: The Children's Heart Foundation, 5 Revere Drive, One Northbrook Place, Suite 200, Northbrook, IL 60062
  • Download offline donation form