Walgreens raises profile in Hawaii with donation to heart fund effort

DEERFIELD, Ill. Boosting its visibility in Honolulu as it works to expand its foothold in the Hawaiian Islands, Walgreens presented a check for $2,320 this week to the American Heart Association’s Hawaiian affiliate. The money was raised during the company’s annual “Take Heart and Give” campaign earlier this year.

Nationwide, Walgreens raised more than $1.6 million through the sale of $1 paper hearts in its 6,200 stores.

“As a pharmacy and health care retailer, we place special emphasis on being involved with health care charities,” said Dana Psomas, Hawaii district manager. She noted that more than 3,200 people in the state die each year from heart disease.

Walgreens will also field a team of employees at the 15th annual Oahu Heart Walk Aug. 16, the company said.

Meanwhile, the chain is working to capitalize on its initial entry into Hawaii, following the grand opening of its first store here in November, in one of Honolulu’s busiest shopping districts. Two more Walgreens drug stores will open in Hawaii by the end of the year, the company predicts, with more units due for opening in 2009.