GULF SHORES, Ala. — American Heart Association Board member Leonard Kaiser was looking for another way to raise funds for the association.

His long time involvement and passion for supporting the AHA made an impact on 18 Kaiser Realty, Inc. employees, who decided early in 2009 to begin working to lose weight and become more “heart healthy.”

When Kaiser became aware of this it prompted the idea to establish a contest to guess the total combined weight loss of the group.

For a $1 donation per vote, anyone can enter the contest as many times as they like.

The correct or closest guess will win half the money raised by the contest.

“Of course, the names of the contestants that lost all this weight shall remain nameless,” Kaiser said. “The good thing is that these people are taking charge of their health by being careful with their diets and making achieving a healthy weight their goal. Healthy lifestyle is what the American Heart Association is all about, so what better way than this contest to publicize that message and recognize our employees for their hard work and positive choices?”

Besides raising money and awareness for the American Heart Association, Kaiser finds it gratifying that his “family of employees” would take this level of interest in what the association is trying to accomplish.

The votes will be counted and the winner announced at 3 p.m. on Sept. 18.

To learn how to vote or get more information, contact Paige Chappelle at 955-3170.