FMS students raising funds for American Heart Association

Fairfield Middle School students are learning about the importance of physical activity and heart health while raising funds to help others through Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart events.

The students raised a grand total of $3,338.81 for the American Heart Association during its Jump Rope for Heart events.

Jump Rope for Heart is a program that promotes physical activity and heart health through jump roping. It is co-sponsored by the American Heart Association and SHAPE America-Society of Health and Physical Education.

The sixth- through eighth-graders jumped from 3:35-5 p.m. Feb. 26 in the school gym, and the fifth-graders jumped rope in their physical education classes Feb. 8-26.

The top fundraisers in the Jump for Heart event were:

? Adrian Scotton, fifth-grade, $267.

? Jackson Nelson, sixth-grade, $252.

? Mackenzie Kaska, fifth-grade, $250.

? Felicia Strong, fifth-grade, $211.75.

? Ashlyn Lisk, fifth-grade, $150.

? Austin Lisk, fifth-grade, $150.

? Madison Griener, fifth-grade, $130.

? Hailey Burke, fifth-grade, $100.

?We are so pleased with the success of this year?s event,? said FMS PE teacher Nancy Diers, who organized the event, along with fellow teacher Jerrod Belzer. ?We all had a lot of fun, and the kids enjoyed learning about the importance of physical activity and how they can play a role in saving lives.?

FMS students will be participating in Hoops for Heart, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, from 2:45-5:15 p.m. Tuesday in the gym, and the funds raised during that event also will be donated to the American Heart Association.

Anyone who would like to make a donation or contribute to the Hoops for Heart fundraising event should call FMS at 472-5019 and ask for Diers or Belzer.

The American Heart Association funds research, programs and education to fight heart disease and stroke, the nation?s No. 1 and No. 4 killers.