School raises $11,000 for heart
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 13, 2004 2:02 PM
Schools across the county and the country participated in Jump Rope for Heart this week to support the American Heart Association.
Eastern Wayne Elementary School students raised more than $11,000 for the cause.
Terry Butler, physical education specialist at the school, said that more than 300 students took part in Thursday's event. Three sessions were held throughout the day for kindergarten through fifth grade.
The school's gymnasium was divided into stations with eight to 10 students on each team. Parents and cheerleaders also served as volunteers.
Long and short ropes were at each station. Students could jump individually or as a group, with two people holding the longer rope and others jumping in. The only requirement was that someone on the team had to be jumping throughout the session.
Ms. Butler said the school has held the event for the past 12 years. The average amount brought in per student was $20, with prizes given and certificates presented to each participant.
The first year the school was involved, $1,500 was raised. Over the years, the event has grown in popularity.
Many students sign up not only to jump rope but because they have had a parent or relative with heart disease and participate in their honor.
Ms. Butler said that in the dozen years the school has participated, a total of $120,000 has been raised for the American Heart Association. For the past 10 years, Eastern Wayne has consistently been one of the top 10 schools in the state to raise the most money for the cause, she said.