February: the month everyone associates with flowers, chocolates, and Cupid has rolled around once again. With so much focus on the impending Valentine’s Day, one should try to keep something else in mind: the heart.
Not the cutesy cartoon hearts decorating stores and various cards in Hallmark, but rather the very organ that sends blood containing oxygen and vital nutrients around the body. February isn’t just the month of Valentine’s Day and this year’s Super Bowl, it’s also the American Heart Month. And instead of giving friends little heart shaped candies or cards to celebrate this Valentine’s Day, students across the country are participating in the charity event called “Jump Rope for Heart.”
“Jump Rope for Heart” is a fundraising program sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Dance (AAHPERD). The main goals of this program are to teach students about their hearts, to encourage them to live healthy lifestyles, and give back to the community at the same time. Students are encouraged to raise money for the American Heart Association and are then rewarded with various prizes; depending on how much money they raise.
Often these events are run by schools. At each event, a variety of activities are run. Students learn various jump roping techniques, race, compete, learn how to take their pulse and discover the benefits of exercising. Music, healthy snacks, fundraising and volunteers make this event a group event.
Even though this charitable event is targeted towards elementary school, one can onto www.heart.org, click on the “Giving” tab, scroll over the “For Individuals” title and click on the “Join an Event” link. This link will bring up various opportunities to give back to the American Heart Association.
So, if February leaves you with a longing to give back to the community while keeping in the spirit of National Heart Awareness Month, check out www.heart.org to see if there are any charity opportunities in which you may be interested.
