The American Heart Association honored Rockport Heights Elementary School in Arnold this morning (Jan. 23), recognizing the school for raising funds for the organization over the past several years, said Barb Reyering, youth marketing director for the AHA.
For the past five years, Rockport Heights has been the top fundraising school in the state during the annual Jump Rope for Heart campaign, the AHA’s annual school fundraiser and heart health awareness campaign for youth.
Last school year, Rockport raised $33,000 for AHA through the campaign. Not only was Rockport the No. 1 fundraising school in the state for AHA, but also it was 24th in the nation, Reyering said.
Rockport’s five-year Jump Rope for Heart fundraising total is $123,115, said Kristin Darnell, the school’s physical education teacher.
Dearing said the school has participated in the campaign at least seven years, raising $149,290 during that period.
Rockport kicked off this school year’s Jump Rope for Heart campaign on Jan. 13, when students began collecting donations for the AHA, Darnell said.
The campaign will culminate with a three-day event, Feb. 18-20, when students will jump rope during physical education classes. In addition, a variety of games and other fun activities will be held during those three days. Students also will turn in the money they raised during the campaign, Darnell added.
Two assemblies were held this morning so the AHA could recognize Rockport for its fundraising efforts. Also, the Jump Rope Demo Team performed, Reyering said.
Rockport Heights, one of 11 elementary schools in the Fox School District, enrolls about 700 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
