On February 2, 2018, students at Churchville Elementary School (CES) celebrated their community’s generosity and their own hard work as they ended this year’s Hoops for Heart fund drive with a record-setting total raised of well over $21,000. This pushes the school’s 17-year contributions to the American Heart Association to more than $100,000.
“Last year, the Churchville community supported our kids by giving the largest amount we’d ever raised,” said program coordinator and physical education teacher Brooke Elnicky. “We weren’t sure it was realistic to set a goal of $20,000 to surpass that record, but the students were determined. They did an amazing job.”
This year’s Honorary Heart Hero, CES first-grader Leighla Garrand, was honored at the assembly. Her mother, Tawna Bailey, thanked students for supporting her daughter and, through their work with Hoops for Heart, all the many others who live with difficult heart problems.
Principal Dave Johnson said, “While all of our students get involved in the heart-healthy activities and learn about citizenship and caring for others, it’s astounding that 233 kids from all grade levels were active fundraisers, many raising $300 or more each. One of our classes had an 86% participation rate. The top fundraiser, Logan Williamson, raised $972.”
Second-grader Williamson was named Principal for the Day in recognition of his accomplishment. He is the first student to sit at Johnson’s desk twice – he also took top honors in 2016.
More than 3,000 schools nationwide participate in the Hoops for Heart and Jump Rope for Heart programs. The events are fun, promote sports and fitness, educate students in the risks of heart disease and stroke, and help lay the groundwork for life-long community activism and volunteering. The Churchville community takes the annual Hoops for Heart event very seriously. Last year, CES raised over $19,000 and has consistently placed in the top echelon of the state’s fundraising schools.
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