by Tim Troglen | Reporter Hudson -- Only one other school in Ohio raised more money than Hudson's East Woods Elementary School last year for the American Heart Association in its Hoops for Heart program. East Woods raised $13,085, while all four Hudson elementary schools combined to raise $31,372, according to Shelley Webber, a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. Wyandot Run Elementary, in Delaware County, topped East Woods Elementary's total, but only by $126, she said. "The Hudson City School District has a long history of supporting the American Heart Association and educating our kids about heart health and community service through Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart," Webber said. "Since 1991, the Hudson community has donated more than $430,000 to help fund life-saving research and education." Students raise funds through programs like Jump Rope and Hoops for Hearts, which are run by the elementary physical education teachers, according to Webber. Students ask for donations and pledges from friends and relatives, then spend a day jumping rope or shooting baskets, typically earning more money by jumping longer or making more baskets. The funds are used for research, medicine, surgeries and resources to fight heart disease and stroke, Webber said. It also helps fund programs and community initiatives, which include keeping physical education in schools, finding better nutrition for children and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation in schools. East Woods has raised $281,489 since 1991, and in 2010 was on of the top 10 fundraising schools in the nation, Webber said. "We work with our kids on fitness and diet, and try to provide them with an active lifestyle for the entire family," said Jayne Marconi, East Woods physical education teacher. "We encourage them to do at least 60 minutes of activity a day." The Hoops for Hearts unit, is taught during six-week periods throughout the year, Marconi said. The school will also participate this year in the "Presidential Active Lifestyle Award" during the Hoops for Hearts unit, Marconi said. "Students will track and record their activity," she said. "At the end of six weeks they will turn in their papers and receive a little plastic foot that slips onto their shoelace. This recognizes them as succeeding this challenge." The students are encouraged to do the program with families or friends, according to Marconi. "Obesity, as we all know, is on the increase, and we want to educate our kids in how a lot of this can be prevented," Marconi said. "I have seen students empty their own piggy banks, set up lemonade stands, hold bake sales, etc. They care." Marconi called the students' fundraising efforts "amazing." "We are all so proud of them," she said. "This community is incredible, and our hats are off to them, also." "The impact the Hudson Schools and community have had on our mission to fight heart disease is remarkable; every single dollar raised makes a huge impact," Webber said. "The research advancements made possible by the money raised through Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart helps save lives every single day." For more information, visit www.heart.org/hudsonschools. Email: ttroglen@recordpub.com Phone: 330-541-9435
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