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Bedford County students raise money by jumping rope

They raised more than $10,000 for the American Heart Association in a March 1 event.

Courtesy photo

Students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Forest participate in the annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. This year the school raised more than $10,000 for the American Heart Association.

Courtesy photo

Cody Beck, 4, and his mother, Gina Beck, attend the Jump Rope for Heart event at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Forest. Cody was born with only three valves in his heart.

Courtesy photo

Students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Bedford County participate in the annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.

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JoAnne Poindexter | 981-3340

Friday, March 15, 2013

Students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Bedford County don’t mind jumping for a cause.

During the school’s Jump Rope for Heart on March 1, 204 youngsters raised more than $10,000 for the American Heart Association’s cardiovascular research and educational programs.

This was the highest amount the school has raised during the 13 years that students have participated in the jumping event, said Marnie Mills , youth market director for the heart association.

Heart disease is the nation’s second leading cause of death among children, according to the association.

While testing their skills at various jump-rope stations, Thomas Jefferson students honored Cody Beck, the 4-year-old sibling of one of their schoolmates.

Cody was born with only three chambers of his heart, a congenital heart defect that was diagnosed before his birth. He had his first heart surgery before he was a week old and has had four other surgeries.

“This was quite a commitment for everyone,” said Mills. “They all rallied around the family.”

“Our community has been so supportive of our family, and AHA’s Jump Rope For Heart program has increased awareness of congenital heart defects for both the students and the parents at Thomas Jefferson,” Gina Beck, Cody’s mother, said in a news release.

“To know that the students are raising money to help other kids like Cody is so humbling, and we are extremely grateful,” Beck added.

The program teaches participants about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and empowers students as they provide vital community service and discover that they can make a difference, according to heart association promotional materials.

Saturday, September 14, 2013