Crestview classmates Jump Rope for Heart

By: Kelli Bamforth, Staff Writer
kellibamforth@sunpublications.com

Mark Coffey/Sun Photo HOPPING FOR THE HEART: Second-grader Patrick McGeary keeps a close eye on third-grade teacher Travis Myers during the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser for the American Heart Association on April 9 at Crestview Elementary, 6101 Craig St., Merriam.

Christina Aguilera’s “Car Wash” played in the background as students at Crestview Elementary School, 6101 Craig St., Merriam, jumped rope for 90 minutes April 7.

The ropes clicked on the playground pavement as some first-graders successfully jumped just once or twice before stumbling. Some more experienced sixth-graders tried to see how fast they could jump or turned the rope backward.

All students jumped with the same goal in mind: to raise money for the American Heart Association.

Betsy Anderson, physical education teacher, said Crestview has sponsored Jump Rope for Heart for at least 11 years.

“We’ve done it every year since I’ve been here,” Anderson said. “I tell the kids it’s a community service project and they’re donating their time to raise money and benefit from physical activity.”

Participating students collect donations from friends, neighbors and relatives. Donations are usually a flat fee for the 90 minutes of jumping.

“We always do a really good job,” Anderson said. “Last year we raised around $3,500.”

Anderson said the fundraiser serves a dual purpose.

“It’s health awareness for them … they’re doing a physical activity that’s good for their body,” she said. “It also gets them thinking about those with heart problems so they don’t have problems later in their life.”

Ninety students signed up this year, a “pretty good number,” Anderson said, though lower than previous years.

Sixth-grader Cody Birdwall has participated in Jump Rope for Heart since first grade.

“I’m out here to raise money for anybody with heart problems,” Cody said. “It’s good to help people who really need it and show how much we care. We are helping the whole community, which is good because not everybody is the healthiest.”

Cody said he enjoys the added athletic benefits.

“I have asthma but I still do basketball, swimming and karate,” he said. “If you don’t stay active that’s another way to get sick. It’s a blast to find a sport you love, have fun and stay healthy so you don’t have heart problems later.”

The American Heart Association reports that heart disease is the United States’ No. 1 killer.

About 870,000 Americans die annually from cardiovascular disease and stroke, about 36 percent of all deaths.

Over 15 percent of children and adolescents are overweight, leading to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity later in life.

Cody’s mother, Amy Birdwall, serves on the Jump Rope for Heart PTA committee.

“It’s a community service project, but I also have a brother with a bad heart,” she said. “He’s waiting for either a transplant or for his condition to improve enough for an operation.”

Jump Rope for Heart teaches students to think about others, Amy said.

“Plus it’s a good way for them to do exercise,” she said. “They seem to have a good time doing it.”

Participating schools can receive gift certificates for physical education equipment based on dollars raised. Crestview students collected about $1,900 this year, earning a $100 certificate.

Schools also can integrate the fundraiser into the curriculum, emphasizing healthy eating, physical activity and living tobacco-free.

For details about the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program, visit www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2360.