Margie and Greg Bruner, the parents of John Bruner, talk with guests at the Dalton Heart Ball on Saturday at The Farm in Whitfield County.

DALTON, Ga. — John Bruner would befriend kids who were bullied, his father said.

“He really reached out to everyone and was a nurturing, loving and kind young man,” Greg Bruner said.

John’s mother, Margie Bruner, remembers him as a sweet person who was sensitive and funny.

John Bruner ran track at Dalton High School, which he graduated from in 2006. He continued his track career at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. He was participating in the Missionary Ridge Road Race in Chattanooga on Aug. 4, 2007, when he collapsed. He later died due to a rare coronary artery anomaly. He was 19.

On Saturday the local chapter of the American Heart Association, which serves Dalton, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Tenn., and surrounding areas, held the 31st annual Dalton Heart Ball in John Bruner’s memory at The Farm. Some $267,000 was raised. 

“The money goes to research within the state and is spread throughout Dalton (to help) with community service and public health education,” said Brooke Dillard, development specialist with the American Heart Association. The money will also be used for professional education and training and fundraising.

Most years the Heart Ball honors someone who has either passed away from or who survived a heart condition or stroke. But the association has also honored cardiologists.

Dillard said the Heart Ball is the premier local event for raising funds to save lives from heart disease and stroke.

Bruner’s parents were appreciative of the honoring of their son.

“This means everything to us,” Margie Bruner said. “It’s such an honor to have John recognized, we (feel) so blessed.”

Greg Bruner said his family is “grateful for all the love and support the community has shown” for his son.

He said John was “small in size” and would’ve been overlooked in most sports. 

“With running, his size didn’t matter. He really excelled at it and had a competitive nature and desire to do well,” Greg Bruner said.

He said the members of the running community, the places where the Bruners work and Dalton State College where Margie Bruner coached girls cross country have all been “extremely supportive.”

For the past nine years St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, which the Bruners attend, has sponsored The Run For John in John Bruner’s memory. The event has raised $90,000 for college scholarships. This year’s run will be on Saturday, April 29. For more information, visit www.therunforjohn.org.

About 300 people attended the Heart Ball which also had silent and live auctions. Some of the auctioned items were trips, golf packages, pieces of art, tickets to the “Hamilton” musical in New York City and jewelry.

Cherri Robertson, auction chair liaison, said all items were donated and the monies raised will go back to the American Heart Association. 

Robertson began volunteering with the association four years ago. She was inspired after watching family video presentations, which made her realize the impact of the association.

“I started doing research and realized it wasn’t just one particular family,” she said. “It’s families across the nation the American Heart Association helps.”

Robertson said the organization “tugs at her heart strings.”

“Everyone has been affected by some type of heart disease,” she said. “Whether family, friends or themselves. So I know what a good organization they are and if I can just be a small part of that it’s a blessing.”

Harper Carnes, a member of the decorating committee for the Heart Ball, said heart disease can affect anyone, from newborns to the elderly.  

“It’s a really good cause to get behind and a cool way for the community to support the (Bruner) family,” Carnes said.