LOCKNEY – What started out as a modest goal to raise awareness for heart health has turned into a dramatic fundraiser for Lockney Elementary School students. More than fifty of the 180 plus students in K-5 raised $5,626.93 for the American Heart Association’s ‘Kids Heart Challenge’ – nearly tripling the school’s goal of $2,000 for the monthlong fundraiser. “It’s a testament to our community,” Lockney Elementary Principal Michael Michaelson told the Record. “We’re trying to teach these kids to be good citizens, giving people. This is one of the ways we can do that.”
School Nurse Brittany Duniven championed the program that replaced the AHA’s longstanding ‘Jump Rope for Heart Health’ challenge because of its shift to a heart-based health curriculum. In addition to learning the importance of exercise, students were taught practical lessons like spotting the signs of a stroke. Duniven says she hopes the lessons students learned will be remembered throughout their lives as a way to take care of themselves. “That’s the value of movement, the importance of the heart. This was more than just raising money.”
But raising money they did, and for their efforts a number of the 59 students that participated will get to take part in a ‘Color Blast Party’ this spring where they will get to cover a lucky recipient from the community in colored powder.
All told 22 students raised over $100 for the challenge, with 6 raising more than $250 and one student single-handedly raising more than $1,000.
The fundraiser officially closed last week, but to learn more about Lockney Elementary’s Kids Heart Challenge and to see their leaderboard visit Heart.org
