Students at a Lake in the Hills elementary school put their best foot forward this week in support of the fight against heart disease.
There was no shortage of physical activity at Martin Elementary School as students showed off their jump roping skills as a part of the Jump Rope for Heart campaign.
The annual fundraising event for the American Heart Association was designed to teach students about the benefits of regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle, as well as emphasize the importance of physical fitness to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
(PHOTOS: Jump rope for heart health.)
This was the ninth year the school has participated in Jump Rope for Heart. The school raised more than $24,000 last year, according to physical education teacher Kathy Bilof. More than $100,000 was raised between five schools at Consolidated School District 158 last year.
“Each year it has grown tremendously,” Bilof said. “These students have become very aware of the benefits of learning about heart disease and the overall importance of exercising daily.”
Students participated in the event by collecting donations and promising to jump rope for a total of two hours during the school day. Parent volunteers in turn worked at a desk in the gymnasium tabulating donation totals and monitoring children while they jumped rope.
“For so many people, this brings the problem so close to home,” Bilof said.
Groups of students packed the gymnasium and took turns jump roping in various styles, including backward and crisscross, while music played in the background. Students also created posters that were placed throughout the gym during the event.
Third-grade student Caitlyn Miller took her shot at raising money during the event. Miller, 9, lost her great uncle to heart disease a year ago.
“It’s very fun to raise money for people with heart disease,” she said. “It’s a little thing, but I’m not going to give up. It’s good for the whole community.”
Fifth-grade students took part in the campaign, raising funds and playing basketball as a part of the Hoops for Heart initiative through the American Heart Association. Fourth-graders also took part in Jump Rope for Heart.
