Plains student raises record donations for AHA event

PLAINS - Two weeks of fundraising came to an end as the students of Plains Elementary completed another Jump Rope for Heart Campaign.

One student, outdid himself and raised a substantial amount of money. The student in question, first grader, Jonathon Felix, had quite a couple of weeks, raising over $1,000 for the American Heart Association.

Participating in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart for his first time, Felix raised $1,009 for heart research, more money than any student from Plains had previously raised.

Students at Plains participate in Jump Rope for Heart as part of a health enhancement class, a course that teaches children healthy lifestyles and the importance of staying active.

The teacher of the health enhancement class, Linda Knight, has participated in the AHA fundraiser for the last 20 years and noted that Felix’s total far surpassed those of students in previous years.

Knight noted that in the past, several students had raised a few hundred dollars but never has anyone come close to Felix’s final tally.

“This is a lot of money,” Knight said, reflecting on the first grader’s impressive accomplishment.

Friends and family members in Kalispell were happy to help Felix out, allowing the young student to kick his Jump Rope for Heart collection into the next gear, receiving several large donations that helped him reach his final total.

Felix was not the only one raising money for the charitable cause. First through fourth graders in Knight’s health enhancement class participate in the fundraiser and everyone made contributions.

“It varies from kid to kid but students usually raise anywhere between $35 and $150,” Knight said.

The AHA distributes prizes to students at the end of the two-week event. Students who raise over $50 receive a jump rope and students who raise over $75 receive a T-shirt.

As a way of celebrating the money the group had collectively raised for heart health awareness, while reinforcing the theme of healthy lifestyles, participants in Jump Rope for Heart were treated to an hour of gym time a day throughout the week. Time spent jumping rope, running around and having fun.

The final day of the program, Thursday, April 24, featured students tearing around the gym, getting their energy out and having a good time doing it, as music blasted and jump ropes could be heard tapping the hardwood throughout the gymnasium.

Felix’s efforts and his impressive total landed him quite a few prizes. He received a playground ball, slingshot, headphones, walkie-talkie and a scooter for his success.

When asked what had inspired him to go about raising such a large sum, Felix didn’t hesitate.

“For the scooter, and to help kids,” Felix said.