On behalf of the American Heart Association and the millions of Americans affected by cardiovascular diseases and stroke, we want to thank the students, staff, parents, and donors in the Austin Public School District that participated in Jump Rope for Heart this 2015-2016 School Year. These schools included: Banfield Elementary, Neveln Elementary and Southgate Elementary.

Cardiovascular diseases and stroke are the leading cause of death in Minnesota and unfortunately, our children are not immune.

Jump Rope for Heart provides a fun activity to rally a school community around heart healthy life-style choices and encourages students to have conversations about heart health while giving them the opportunity to help others. These Austin Public School students certainly answered the call, raising money to help save 263 lives in the community. The money raised provides the community with heart health needs such as; research, education, treatments, prevention and awareness.

A special congratulations to the heart heroes that lead the way and provided a memorable service learning project for their students including: teachers; Steve Bamrick, Jennifer Duley and Corey Christopherson and all of their Principals and helpers. We are thrilled that we were able to provide these schools with a total of $1,200 for additional PE Equipment in appreciation of their efforts and to continue providing students the life-long skills learned in Physical Education class.

You too can help save lives by improving your own health with MyLifeCheck at www.mylifecheck.org and learning CPR at www.handsonlycpr.org. Our mission is in your hands. As the students of Banfield, Neveln and Southgate Elementary Schools have shown, we have many, great hands helping us.

Sara Clausen,

Regional director of the American Heart Association