Mayor proclaims February American Heart Month; local fundraiser highlighted

Mayor Robert A. Corradino formally proclaimed February as American Heart Month during the City of Oswego Common Council meeting and introduced a local awareness initiative called the Heartbeat Project.

Gina Vaughn, who identified herself during public comment as part of the Heartbeat Project, thanked the mayor and described why the effort matters to her family. "It truly means so much to me to see our community coming together for such an important cause that affects so many," Vaughn said, recounting that her youngest daughter was diagnosed with a rare heart condition and that the family now manages it with daily medication and cardiology care.

Vaughn described fundraising activity in February, selling heart pins to raise money for the American Heart Association's Women of Impact campaign. She said she purchased about 100 pins and "within 4 days, we sold out of all of those and had to order more." Vaughn thanked the Oswego Police Department, Oswego Fire Department, Oswego County Sheriff's Department, Oswego County 9-1-1, and the Fulton Fire Department for purchasing pins and being permitted to wear them on uniforms during February.

The proclamation and Vaughn's remarks were ceremonial; no formal council action was required beyond the proclamation reading. The transcript does not record any additional council votes tied to the proclamation.

Ending: Vaughn urged community members to support awareness and fundraising efforts for heart health and provided contact options and a fundraiser link to the American Heart Association for those wishing to contribute.