The Churchville community responded generously to the fundraising efforts of students at Churchville Elementary School (CES) with donations for the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge, totaling over $19,000. The school has been participating in AHA Heart Events since 2001, raising more than $157,000 for the organization.
Students celebrated this year’s success on February 14 with a school-wide assembly honoring their top student fundraisers: Analise ($517), Lilly ($698), and Carlene ($750). Carlene was also honored with the title of Principal for the Day. The winning fundraising class will enjoy a heart-healthy snack party, courtesy of Wegmans.
Program coordinator, physical education teacher Bethany Matsko, said, “The entire school participated in the healthy heart challenge during PE classes, with special races and exercises. More than 140 students volunteered to raise donations. Our kids here at CES want to stay healthy and make a difference for others in their community.”
Students also had a special incentive for reaching their goal this year: the promise of classic pie-in-the-face for several teachers, including Matsko, PE teacher Shayne Sudol, kindergarten teacher Amy Francis, Assistant Principal Renee Mulrooney, and Principal David Johnson. As the moment of truth approached, the gym was filled with anticipation and the happy sounds of hundreds of students chanting, “Pie in the face! Pie in the face!” As lucky student representatives shoved the whipped cream pies into each nervous adult face, the audience laughed and applauded – not a bad reward for all their hard work.
More than 3,000 schools nationwide participate in the AHA Kids Heart Challenge program. 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. Churchville-Chili Central School District schools and students have been supporters for many years. The Churchville community takes the annual Hoops for Heart event very seriously. The CES school record for a year stands at $21,350, and the school has consistently placed in the top echelon of the state’s fundraising schools.
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