SYLACAUGA Jump Rope for Heart is a program that has always been near and dear to Kevin Hardiman's heart.He participated in the American Heart Association-sponsored event when he was in elementary school, and after watching his two grandfathers suffer and survive heart attacks and heart surgery, the cause took on even more meaning.
"Everyone knows someone affected by heart disease," the physical education teacher said. "My family is affected by heart disease, so it means a little more to me."
Hardiman has spread that awareness to his students at Indian Valley Elementary School. This year was the school's ninth to participate in the Jump Rope for Heart program under Hardiman, and the best fundraising year yet. The school collected $7,274 for the AHA.
"This is the most we've done by far," he said. "I was proud of the kids for doing that well."
Jump Rope for Heart is a national fundraising program started by the AHA and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance that helps to get kids excited about exercising while teaching them about the prevalence of heart disease among Americans and how they can help.
Elementary students collect money from family members and friends to donate to the fundraiser and then receive "thank you" gifts according to the dollar amount they raise. Hardiman said it's broken down so that students donating $5 get a water bottle, for $15 they receive a jump rope, for $50 students get a T-shirt, and so on. The students then get to jump rope for a class period during a designated school day.
Hardiman said he also provides "thank you" gifts of his own. Blue Bell Creameries helps him give individual incentive popsicles, and the grade level that raises the most gets to enjoy a pizza party with the coach.
This year, though, he said he decided to up his tactics a notch, getting ideas from workshops and other participating schools. It helped the Sylacauga school bring in more than $7,000 for their donation.
Students were reaching in their pockets and donating loose change. Some brought in money from their piggy banks, and others brought in envelopes they filled after spending time asking family and friends.
"To me that means a lot more than a parent writing a $50 check so the kid can get a T-shirt," Hardiman said.
To raise their consciousness about the issue, about 300 students contributed their own artwork to the first-ever art contest. Hardiman said the kids took a blank piece of paper and drew their own interpretations of family members they had lost to heart disease or how they saw the money they raised helping other heart patients. Their artwork was displayed on the walls at school for other students and teachers to see.
"I think it gives them a good, warm feeling," he said. "I'll ask them, "How many of you have had grandmas and grandpas who have had heart attacks?', and the hands go up. They understand it."
And it's about more than just educating the children about their elder family members; it's a concern that affects them, too. According to the AHA, even as adults become more susceptible to heart problems, such health issues as cardiac disease, high cholesterol and obesity are growing problems in young children, as well.
"We've got to get these kids more active. The 30 minutes at P.E. is not enough," Hardiman said. "We're all guilty of it. It's probably easier to turn on the T.V. or Playstation instead of going outside. Now I tell them to jump rope and practice their tricks."
He said Jump Rope for Heart gives the students that sense of responsibility and importance in community issues while also showing them a fun way to get off the couch and get some exercise.
"If I go to them and say, "We're going to run laps' how much fun is that going to be?'" Hardiman said. "The kids had a lot of fun jump roping."
