Students at Chain O’ Lakes Elementary School raised $6,935 for the American Heart Association and $544 for the American Red Cross.
The school of 122 students participated in the annual Jump Rope For Heart program on Feb. 13 and hosted “Hats on for Heroes” this month.
Students and staff celebrated their efforts during a March 12 program at the school.
On that day, Vicki Jenks, an American Red Cross community volunteer leader, visited the school.
Students presented a “check” to her, and Jenks explained how the funds they raised will stay local and be used in Waupaca County for disaster relief.
The event involved students paying $1 to wear a hat to school for the day.
It is not new to the Waupaca School District, as the middle and high schools led fundraisers in 2013 and 2014.
“Although Americans generously respond to national and global disasters, it is also nice to know that we can take care of our local citizens,” Jenks said.
During the Chain School’s March 12 program, Polly Bigler also announced who raised the most funds for the American Heart Association during this year’s Jump Rope For Heart.
For Bigler, who is the school’s physical education teacher, the moment was a bittersweet one, as she is retiring after the end of this school year.
Raising the most this year were Gloria Brown ($570), brothers Nolan and Miles Wenberg ($450) and Olivia Wilson ($275).
It was 14 years ago that the school started participating in Jump Rope For Heart, and during that time, it has raised a total of $89,216 for the American Heart Association, Bigler said.