Plains elementary students jump rope for the American Heart Association

PLAINS - This week students will be jumping for a cause, as the Jump Rope for Heart Campaign kicks off at Plains Elementary.

Members of teacher Linda Knight’s first through fourth grade health enhancement classes will be participating in the event, which raises money for the American Heart Association.

Though it has been held at various times during the school year in the past, the Jump Rope for Heart event has become a regular occurrence at the town’s elementary school.

“The school has participated since I have been here, for the last 20 years at least,” Knight said.

The week is a time when kids learn how their heart works and how to keep this important organ healthy.

The AHA uses funds raised by students to help fund scientific research aimed at combating heart disease and stroke throughout the nation.

Knight pointed out that funding comes from throughout the community.

“Parents, neighbors, family and friends all contribute to the student’s fundraising efforts,” Knight said.

Knight added that in years past the school has raised anywhere from $600 to $2,000 for the AHA.

Parents set up websites through the AHA’s website telling about the program and send e-mails to family and friends directing them to the website if they wish to donate in support of Jump Rope for Heart.

Learn and live is the official motto of the AHA and Jump Rope for Heart is a fairly accurate embodiment of this phrase, as students are given the educational tools they need to ensure long and healthy lives.

The AHA was founded in 1924 to foster appropriate cardiac care among the nation’s adults and for nearly 35 years the AHA has sponsored the Jump Rope for Heart event as an effective means of reaching younger members of the community. Of late the AHA has made further efforts to get involved with elementary schools by sponsoring contests to determine the t-shirt designs for future activities.

However, fundraising is only one part of the AHA’s youth health campaign and while Jump Rope for Heart only runs from April 21 through April 24, the Dallas based non-profit organization’s efforts continue through the entire school year.

The AHA’s mission statement reads “building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke,” and to this end the health group supplies schools across the country with teaching materials and other educational guides.

Plains Elementary is also firmly committed to building healthy lifestyles and this is incorporated into the classroom.

“We talk about the heart in health enhancement class throughout the year, emphasizing eating right and staying healthy,” Knight said.

The four-day event marks the end of two weeks of fundraising by students and is sure to be an exciting way to return from their long weekend.