Students at Redding Elementary School were all set to spend this week jumping rope and participating in other fun activities for Heart Week.

In recognition of February as American Heart Month, the school had a lineup of ways to celebrate heart health and raise money for charity.

What they hadn’t planned was missing seven straight days of school because of snow and cold temperatures.

Heart Week has now been pushed back to March 9 to 13. The weeklong event is being organized by physical education teacher Sharon Wood as a way for students to “jump at the chance to help others,” she said.

Redding’s first Heart Week was conducted last year and was inspired by students’ interest and compassion to support Seymour Middle School student Emily Hume, who was awaiting a heart transplant. She received a heart last March and is now back at school. Emily is the daughter of Redding third-grade teacher Linda Hume.

“This year, the students wanted to continue this tradition of Heart Week in honor of Emily’s transplant,” Wood said. “They feel this gives them a chance to help support her and other people who need help.”

Emily spoke Feb. 12 to Redding students and staff at the kickoff for Heart Week. The convocation also featured the Brown Bouncing Bears jump rope team from Margaret R. Brown Elementary School.

“It was absolutely awesome because our students’ faces showed exactly how proud they were of Emily and how important they were last year in supporting her,” Wood said. “All of our students fully believe it takes heart to be a hero, and they are living proof of that.”

Beginning March 9, students can participate in a different Heart Week activity each day by making a donation. Participation is not mandatory, Wood said.

“Heart Week is a great way for kids to give back to their community,” Wood said. “Our activities are designed for the kids to have fun, get more exercise and share their compassion with others and to help save lives.”

Each class, preschool through fifth grade, will be scheduled to participate at specific times for each day’s activities, Wood said.

The first day is “Hearts for Heroes,” and students and staff will have the option to donate $1 to purchase a paper heart during lunch in honor or memory of their hero. The hearts will be displayed at the school throughout the week. Those who donate also will receive a heart sucker. All proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.

On March 10, students will be “Rocking for Riley” at a sock hop dance, with all donations going to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, where Emily received her heart transplant.

“Dodging Heart Disease” is the March 11 theme, and students can participate in a dodgeball tournament with proceeds going to the American Heart Association in honor of Emily.

The Seymour High School girls tennis and soccer teams will participate in the sock hop and dodgeball tournament to help and serve as peer student-athlete role models, Wood said.

March 12 will focus on foods that are good for heart health, and students will have the chance to throw a handful of spaghetti at Principal Dylan Purlee and other administrators for a $1 donation. Proceeds from this day will go to Community Provisions food pantry to help fight hunger.

The week will culminate March 13 with “Jump Rope for Heart Day,” an annual event that raises money for the American Heart Association.

Jump Rope for Heart also is taking place at Cortland Elementary School, where Wood’s husband, Bob, is the physical education teacher.

Students have received a packet of information with an envelope to collect donations on their own from friends, family and neighbors. As a reward for their fundraising efforts, they will be able to spend time that day jumping rope and taking part in other jumping-related activities. Those who raise the most money will receive prizes.

Sharon Wood has served as a Jump Rope for Heart coordinator for Seymour Community Schools for 27 years.

This year’s goal at Redding is to raise $8,200 to beat last year’s total of $7,900. The community can support Jump Rope for Heart and Heart Week at Redding by sending or dropping off donations to the school or by emailing Sharon Wood at [email protected].

“That would be so amazing,” Wood said. “Redding saved over 160 lives last year with their donations.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

What: Heart Week at Redding Elementary School

When: March 9-13

Goal: To raise $8,200 for the American Heart Association

Activities:

• Monday — Hearts for Heroes. For $1 donation to the American Heart Association, students, staff and the community can purchase a paper heart in honor or memory of their hero. Each person donating also will receive a heart sucker.
• Tuesday — Rocking for Riley. For $1 donation students and staff will be able to dance and play at a sock hop dance with all proceeds going to Riley Hospital for Children.
• Wednesday — Dodging Heart Disease. For $1 donation, students and staff can participate in a dodgeball tournament with proceeds going to the American Heart Association in honor of heart transplant recipient Emily Hume.
• Thursday — Pasta Pitching Day. For $1 donation, students and staff can throw a handful of pasta at Principal Dylan Purlee and other administrators. Proceeds will go to Community Provisions food pantry to help fight hunger.
• Friday — Jump Rope for Heart Day. Students must turn in an event envelope with collected donations to participate. Students raising the most money will earn prizes. All proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.

For information or to donate: Call the school at 812-522-5621 or email Sharon Wood at [email protected].

[sc:pullout-text-end]