On Friday, Feb. 13, Golden Grove Elementary School hosted its 11th annual Jump Rope for Heart event to benefit the American Heart Association.
Jump Rope for Heart promotes the importance of exercise, teamwork and community service while raising money for the American Heart Association. The AHA’s mission is to reduce disability and death due to cardiovascular diseases, stroke and congenital heart defects.
Jump Rope for Heart is co-sponsored by the AHA and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, and has been teaching kids the importance of a healthy heart for 36 years.
Each child in grades kindergarten through fifth grade participated in the event. The students jumped at the chance to help fight heart disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers.
Heart disease and heart defects have touched the lives of many of the students and faculty this year. Affectionately referred to as “Heart Heroes,” each child at Golden Grove was welcome to write a letter or bring in a picture of a loved one they were jumping in memory or honor of on that day.
“It is our privilege to do what we can to promote heart wellness at Golden Grove through educating our students on how to maintain a healthy heart,” said physical education teacher Cathlene Lake.
Golden Grove’s staff, families and students have huge hearts and proudly donated $99,948 to the American Heart Association over the past 10 years. The goal was $10,000 this year, and so far the school has collected $14,648 in donations.
ABOVE: Assistant Principal Philip Preddy joins in jumping rope.
