(CANTON) June 17, 2025 — For more than a century, the American Heart Association has been advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Through the 2025 Bill Phillips Legacy Foundation Golf Classic, Jim Hewitt, volunteer chairperson and board member of the American Heart Association in northeast Ohio, and regional director, water practice for GPD Group, will lead a community effort to help ensure every individual in Stark County has the opportunity for a full, healthy life.
The 2025 Bill Phillips Legacy Foundation Golf Classic supports the American Heart Association and the Go Red for Women movement to make an impact on the health of the community. These efforts include the relentless pursuit of scientific discovery, public policy change, equitable health for the under-resourced and under-represented and education to equip the community to take control of their health.
“This golf event, held annually, is a great way to celebrate the legacy of Bill Phillips while supporting the mission of the Heart Association,” Hewitt said.
Bill Phillips was a lifelong Canton resident and graduate of Lehman High School. The former owner of Home Beverage Company, Bill passed away in 1997 from heart disease. Since then, his daughter, Buffy, has made it her mission to be an advocate of cardiovascular health.
“I am honored to continue my father’s legacy of always giving back to our community,” Buffy said. “We are passionate about doing all we can to educate Stark County on the signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke, while also working to prevent it from happening.”
Funding from the Bill Phillips Legacy Foundation recently has helped the American Heart Association install blood pressure hubs at local libraries to fight the “silent killer” and host Cooking for Healthy Hearts in Stark County to teach people in the community the basics of heart-healthy nutrition.
The 2025 Bill Phillips Legacy Foundation Golf Classic will be held Monday, Aug. 11 at The Quarry Golf Club. The local presenting sponsor is the Bill Phillips Legacy Foundation. For more information on how to support or take part in the golf outing, visit heart.org/cantongolf or contact Andrew Kluge at Andrew.Kluge@heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Chelsea Caldwell: chelsea.caldwell@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
