LEWISTON – Mayor Lionel C. Guay Jr. will plant a tree in the city of Auburn at noon Friday, May 13, under the supervision of his brother, Auburn Mayor Normand W. Guay. The planting will be in memory of their mother.

The ceremony marks the city of Auburn’s being the winner of the Twin Cities Mayoral Heart Walk Challenge on Sept. 26.

Lewiston and Auburn municipal employees had rallied at the event, raising a total of $7,580. The winner of the challenge was the municipality that had the highest percentage of employee walkers. Auburn led the challenge with 9.2 percent of its employees walking, compared with Lewiston’s 6.7 percent.

Lewiston’s Mayor Guay will plant a flowering crab apple tree in the courtyard between Auburn Hall at 60 Court St. and the nearby parking garage.

“By having the responsibility of planting the tree, I believe that I have been given a tremendous privilege, as the tree will be planted in memory of a wonderful woman, my mother who was a victim of heart disease in 1988.”

The tree planting will also be a highlight of the American Heart Association’s May promotion of its “Go Red Campaign,” focusing on women, their heart health and their risk of stroke.

Katie Rooks, director of special events for the American Heart Association, said, “We are so pleased that the Lewiston-Auburn mayors will join together for this very inspirational tree planting. With Mother’s Day fresh in our minds, the tree, which will be decorated with a large red ribbon, will serve as a tribute to the women in our lives and the importance of them being informed about heart health care.”

Gearing up for the Heart Walk Challenge last fall, both Twin Cities mayors highlighted the life of their mother, Anna B. Guay.

“Our dad died when we were young, and our mother proceeded to raise us with an abundant amount of love and guidance,” said the Lewiston mayor. “In honor of our mother, it is our hope that this tree will stand as a visual reminder of the importance of preventative heart care so that families are not robbed of a treasured loved one due to heart disease or stroke.”

Assisting the Lewiston mayor with the planting will be members of the Lewiston-Auburn Community Forest Board, who will kick off Arbor Week on May 16.

After the planting, the Twin Cities’ mayors will also read a proclamation focusing on the Heart Walk tree planting and the kickoff of Arbor Week.