The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Picking up a skipping rope is something many adults can remember from their childhood, but the Heart and Stroke Foundation is hoping to make that memory even more special for today's youth. The foundation's Jump Rope for Heart gives students a chance to raise a few dollars while participating in a fun, everyday activity. "It's an opportunity for kids to participate in fitness and a health program that has lots of fun filled activities," says McIsaac School Ecole McIsaac's Brenda Chrupalo. Between McIsaac School and Ruth Betts School, the students switch fundraising responsibilities every year. This year, the students of McIsaac are on board for helping to raise a few dollars for the foundation. "It promotes (cardio) fitness and introduces them to a lifetime skill," says Chrupalo. As well as the physical side of things, the program helps students understand the importance of heart health. "We support the Heart and Stroke Foundation," she says. "All funds raised go towards the Healthy Heart education and everything to do with the.... Foundation." Through the Foundation, part of the funds raised goes back to the school Ð and it's always put towards heart healthy education. "A portion of that money can be given to you in points or ... 20 per cent can come back to the school," says Chrupalo. "We have put money towards healthy heart equipment for the kids (in the past)," she says. In the past, the school has purchased new recess equipment for each class as well as new playground equipment. "The money is always spent on promoting healthy hearts," she says. As for the fundraising, the schools rotate on a yearly bases as to who will collect the funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "All the schools do it every year," she says, noting that while one school is fundraising the other is participating in the activity. "We have had tremendous support.... throughout the community," says Chrupalo. In the past, the school has seen roughly 150-160 kids taking part in the activity Ð something they hope to see again this year. The Jump Off gets started in May where students try to jump for the pledges they received. "You don't have to just jog to be fit, you can do all kinds of activities to increase fitness," she says is one message she hopes the students take away from the event.
