Freedom Crest Students Raise Funds for Heart Research

Hundreds of students at Freedom Crest Elementary School jumped rope in a fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

Nearly 800 students at Freedom Crest Elementary School jumped their hearts out to raise funds for the heart health of others Wednesday morning in Menifee.

The entire student body took part in Jump Rope For Heart, an annual fundraiser for the American Heart Association and awareness program for the students about the importance of good heart health. In the conclusion to a weeks-long program in which the students learned about heart health, shared stories of heart disease in their families and gathered monetary pledges, the students spent about an hour on the playground, getting some exercise of their own.

All across the blacktop, youngsters jumped rope on their own, in small groups, or in teams with large ropes swung by teachers. In a friendly competition, selected students competed against classmates from their grade to see who could jump the most in two minutes.

Last year, Freedom Crest led all schools participating in the program throughout both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, raising more than $15,000. This year, school officials hope they will approach or surpass that figure.

"Every Friday at assembly, we talked about staying heart healthy, how the students can stay healthy with exercise, how they can help with fundraising for research and so forth," said Linda Hickey, school principal. "At one assembly, we had students come up and talk about someone in their family who is dealing with heart disease. That was very touching for all of us, to hear those stories and know how it's touching so many different families."

In addition to getting sponsors to raise funds, red T-shirts were sold and worn by the students every Friday. The program was coordinated by teachers Jackie Morgan and Angie Domiccio.

"My daughter was born with a congenital heart disease," Domiccio said. "I promised I would do something for all the doctors and surgeons to help people with heart disease.

"In one assembly, we showed the students a video from the American Heart Association with pictures and stories of kids with how many surgeries they've been through, so they see it's not just elderly people who have heart conditions and surgeries. Another assembly, they all held up signs saying 'What is your Why?' You know, why are you doing this? Some had friends neighbors of families with heart problems and they wanted to help them."

Parents and administrators turned out to watch the event. Even the school mascot, Freddie Falcon (left), was there to provide support. Menifee Union School District board member Robert O'Donnell also attended.

Kristi Narmore, youth market director for the AHA, attended the event and was impressed with the commitment of the staff and students.

"We have great coordinators here," Narmore said about Freedom Crest. "Angie and Jackie are really passionate about our mission. The school comes together as a community. It's an awesome event.

"We want to spread awareness about heart disease to the students. We want to let the children know they can help. They can not only reduce their heart risk factors as they get older, but they can also help others with sick hearts by raising funds for life-saving research."

The AHA youth movement involving schools throughout the region include Jump Rope for Heart for elementary schools, Hoops for Heart for middle schools and Red-Out for Heart for high schools.

According to Narmore, heart disease is the No. 1 killer among Americans and there are 40,000 babies born with heart defects each year. For more information about the American Heart Association and its programs, visit the AHA website here.

Jump rope contest winners by age group (from left): Jayden Flores, third grade (110 jumps in two minutes); Jaynie Kumsang, fourth grade (240 jumps); Isabella Gomez, second grade (272 jumps); Abbey Carrico, first grade (152 jumps); Jordyn Matheson, fifth grade (334 jumps).