Hard Hats With Heart Campaign Raises $320,000 for American Heart Association

The American Heart Association celebrates the record-breaking success of the 2026 Charleston Hard Hats with Heart campaign. With support from more than 60 construction, design, and build companies, the campaign raised more than $320,000 for the fight against heart disease and stroke, making it the most successful Hard Hats with Heart campaign in Charleston to date. 

Funds raised through Hard Hats with Heart support the American Heart Association’s mission to fight the nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers – heart disease and stroke – through lifesaving research, community advocacy, improved patient care, and access to health care for all people. 

Through Hard Hats with Heart, the American Heart Association works with construction leaders to bring health, well-being, and prevention resources into workplace safety culture. In the United States, construction workers face real risks for heart disease and stroke, including long hours, high stress, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and limited heart-strengthening physical activity. In fact, 343,000 construction workers have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. When employees understand the signs and risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, they are better prepared to notice concerns early, ask questions and take the next step for their health. 

This year’s campaign culminated with a celebration at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island, attended by more than 300 construction, design, and build industry leaders and employees. The 2026 event, chaired by Keith Horton, project director for Frampton Construction, featured workplace wellness displays, a mission moment, and networking opportunities.

“It was a privilege to serve as chair of this year’s Hard Hats with Heart campaign,” Horton said. “In construction, we talk about safety every single day. We invest countless hours making sure our people go home safely at the end of the day. But the important message from Hard Hats with Heart is that you can’t be safe without your health.”
The Charleston Hard Hats with Heart campaign leads into the Lowcountry Heart Walk, which will be held on Feb. 27, 2027. To learn more or sign up, visit www.lowcountryscheartwalk.org.