Tampa Bay's first annual Red Sofa Tour, part of the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Stroke Association’s (ASA) heart disease and stroke awareness campaign, kicks off today, Sept. 10, at The Birchwood, and runs through Oct. 3.
The campaign’s goal is to engage the Tampa Bay community in honest conversation about heart disease and stroke. The lubricant for this conversation: a big red couch.
For one month, a big red sofa, donated by Ashley Furniture HomeStore, will make its way around Tampa Bay, and hopefully inspire a candid few to share their own stories about heart disease and stroke. And while the sofa is meant to start a dialogue about how heart disease or stroke has affected each respective participant, there’s also plenty of room on the crimson cushions for stories championing individual heart health efforts.
Red Sofa Tour stops include USF, where President Judy Genshaft is scheduled to take a load off and chat; and St. Pete City Hall, for the mayor and deputy mayor to plop down on and pontificate from. Amongst other stops, the couch will grace the Museum of Fine Arts, Mary E. Bryant Elementary, and The Vinoy, where it will be Friday. Each stop will include a “SELFIE STOP,” where people can sit on the couch, snap a quick selfie, post it to Facebook or Twitter — with a message about why they support heart health and the fight against heart disease and stroke — using the hashtag #RedSofaTour. The picture and accompanied hashtag and message won’t just be your typical overly self-indulgent social media post though. A chance to win one of eight red items donated by Ashley Furniture HomeStore, including a Hindell Park Sofa, will be given to all those participating.
For more information, contact Communications Director with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Tampa Bay, Lily Reisman, at [email protected].
