Story by Lauren Childs. Photography by Cameron Rocker. Copy editing by Leila Tubbeh, Kelly Jones, and Mary-Kate Roan.

Statesboro, Ga. - Mattie Lively Elementary School’s student body of approximately 400 jumped rope to raise money for the American Heart Association on Friday, Feb. 16. This is the school’s sixth year participating in the nationwide fund-raising event.

“The students [at Mattie Lively] have raised over $3,700 in previous years, and this year our goal is $4,500,” said Physical Education teacher Bessie Cameron. “Last year, the students had about 850,000 jumps; this year we hope to reach one million.”

Jump Rope for Heart, an initiative of the AHA, encourages community service, helps students learn jump-rope skills, and teaches students to set and achieve goals and discover that they can make a difference in their community. By jumping rope and securing sponsors, students raise money for the fight against heart disease and stroke.

According to a 2003 report by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, heart disease and stroke are the first and third leading causes of death in the United States, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all deaths. The same report indicates that the eastern coastal plains of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia have had the highest stroke death rates in the United States for the last 50 years. Correspondingly, a 2004 report by the Georgia Department of Human Resources indicates that cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death in Georgia in 2002, accounting for 36 percent of all deaths.

Jump Rope for Heart teaches students about the seriousness of heart disease and stroke, the lifelong benefits of physical activity and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. According to the AHA, during children’s elementary years, positive learning experiences can help children establish a positive attitude and an appreciation for participating in regular, daily physical activity for life.

Nationally, more than $53.9 million was raised by the Jump Rope for Heart event in the 2005-2006 school year. In its 28-year history, the event has raised an excess of $644 million.

“The students have been hard at work this school year, raising money since before Christmas,” said Cameron.
The students were sent home with envelopes, and were encouraged to collect donations from their family and friends. The students who raise the most money receive prizes such as water bottles and t-shirts.

“Every child in the school gets to take part,” said Cameron. “We practice the stations in physical education class so the students know what to do and what is expected of them.”

Even though the students have had ample jump rope practice, they still look forward to the Jump Rope for Heart event. “I like jumping fast,” said kindergartner Ryan Kirkland. “My favorite part is when you get the handle and make the rope go around.”

When kindergartner Madison Coleman was asked what she liked most about the event, she screamed, “All of it!”

Teachers are also joining in on the fun. The teacher who makes the most jumps will receive free movie passes, and the teacher whose class raises the most money will receive movie passes.

Parents as well as Georgia Southern University students are invited to volunteer during Jump Rope for Heart. “This is my first time volunteering for Jump Rope for Heart, and I like it so much,” said junior art education major Melissa Dyar. “I like [to see] the kids jumping around and having fun.”

Student and Teacher Participation: A teacher helps kindergartner Madison Coleman master her jump rope skills during Jump Rope for Heart.

Focused Fun: Physical educator Bessie Cameron keeps the students organized and on task.

Take Two: Kindergartner Ryan Kirkland takes a break from jumping rope.

Child Obesity Trends
The AHA finds Jump Rope for Heart to be a necessary program for combating the burgeoning trend of child obesity. Obesity is a growing problem in the United States, and it is affecting children nationwide. For the first time in history, children’s life spans are predicted to be less than their parents because of inactivity and obesity-related illnesses.

According to the AHA, obesity among the nation’s youth has tripled in the past 15 years. More than nine million children are overweight and 36 percent get no exercise. As a result, cardiovascular disease ranks as the number three cause of death for children under the age of 15. Congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.

Families and schools are the two most critical links in providing the foundation for physical activity and nutrition.

Creative Collaboration: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services partners with Ad Council and DreamWorks to combat child obesity.

History of Jump Rope for Heart, Hoops for Heart and Heart Walk
Jean Barkow of Milwaukee Riverside High School in Wisconsin recognized the need for programs promoting physical activity and nutrition among school children. This motivated her to hold the first “rope-a-thon” in the late 1970s with the help of her local AHA chapter. In 1978, Barkow’s idea went national and the AHA and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance launched Jump Rope for Heart across the United States.

Jump Rope for Heart has also helped to create other fund-raising events. Hoops for Heart was started in 1989 by two physical educators, Scott Neal and Taryn Bachis of Albuquerque Academy in New Mexico, who decided to try something different at their school after doing Jump Rope for Heart for years. Neal and Bachis wanted to get more kids involved, and they thought that a basketball contest would do the trick. Their event was so successful they enlisted the help of the AHA to spread the event to others.

Heart Walk is the AHA’s signature fund-raiser. This year alone, over one million walkers will participate in more than 600 events across the country. Heart Walk is mainly geared towards companies. Teams of employees, families and friends walk to raise money for the country’s number one and number three killers, heart disease and stroke.

Mattie Lively’s 2007 Jump Rope for Heart Success
Mattie Lively made its goal of one million jumps and raised over $3,400 this year for the AHA. To celebrate the success of this year’s Jump Rope for Heart, Mattie Lively hosted a dance for the parents and students after school on Friday. The students who raised $50 made Cameron into a human hot dog: Cameron made a bun from tan fabric and stuffing material, and the kids squirted mayo, mustard, ketchup and relish all over her.

“All the parents, grandparents and siblings joined in for the ‘YMCA’ near the end,” said Cameron. “It was a hoot!”