When more than 300 builders, designers, and construction executives packed into the Lexus Lounge at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island, the conversation wasn’t about drywall timelines or steel supply chains. It was about pulse rates, cardiovascular health, and the silent physical tolls that come with a life spent building.
The American Heart Association announced on October 29, 2026, that the Charleston Hard Hats with Heart campaign raised over $320,000 with backing from more than 60 construction, design, and build companies. The fundraising total marks the most successful campaign in Charleston to date, channeling resources directly toward research, community advocacy, and patient care for heart disease and stroke.
The Hidden Strain on Job Sites
Behind the hardhats and high-vis vests lies a sobering statistical reality. Construction workers face real risks for cardiovascular illness, driven by long hours, high-stress environments, inadequate nutrition, tobacco usage, and limited opportunities for heart-strengthening physical activity during the workday.
Nationwide, 343,000 construction workers have already been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, as noted in the campaign data. Local reporting emphasized that the annual networking celebration specifically worked to integrate CPR education and AED awareness directly into job site safety protocols. When crews understand the early warning signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, they are better prepared to spot danger signs before an emergency strikes.
“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,” said Keith Horton, Hard Hats with Heart chairperson and project director for Frampton Construction, who chaired the 2026 event.
Keith Horton
Honoring Industry Leadership
The October celebration also recognized local firms that participated in both the Hard Hats with Heart campaign and the Lowcountry Heart Walk. Organizations earning Golden Hard Hats honors included:
- Keystone
- Choate Construction
- SeamonWhiteside
- Pillar Foundation
- C. Herman Construction
- Frampton Construction
- HITT
- Trident Construction
- Blueprint
- Feyen Zylstra
- Illuminico
- Landmark Construction
- LightGauge Co.
- Lithko Contracting
- Low Country Case & Millwork
- LS3P
- Mashburn Construction
- Sanders Brothers
“We are thankful to the Charleston construction, design and build industry leaders for embracing this initiative,” said Katie Schumacher, executive director of the American Heart Association in Charleston. “The continued growth of Hard Hats with Heart demonstrates the construction industry’s commitment to protecting its workforce both on and off the jobsite.”
Looking Ahead to the Lowcountry Heart Walk
While the celebration at Credit One Stadium marked a high-water mark for capital raised in the region, the momentum isn’t slowing down. The 2026 Hard Hats with Heart campaign directly sets the stage for the upcoming Lowcountry Heart Walk, scheduled to take place on February 27, 2027.
