Staff and students at St. Luke School had reason to celebrate last week as their month-long fundraiser for Heart and Stroke wrapped up.
Students in Kindergarten through to Grade Eight canvassed their friends, family and neighbours to help raise $6,734.30 for Heart and Stroke. Teacher lead, Sue Korosec, says the students really went above and beyond to promote the program and were rewarded with a student vs. staff volleyball game. The intermediate students also organized and planned a cardio activity day which all students participated in.
“It is great to see our students taking leadership in this way,” says Jennifer Rachmann, Principal at St. Luke School. “It is an opportunity for us to come together as a school and really make a difference in our community,” she adds.
Karissa Tremblay, a Grade Seven student, raised over $300 for the cause by canvassing her neighbourhood, friends, and family. When asked about why she did it, Tremblay said it was because her gramps and other family members have been affected by strokes and heart attacks.
“Heart disease and stroke takes a Canadian life every 7 minutes and affects every family,” says Julia Tignanelli, Area Coordinator at the North Bay and Nipissing District Heart and Stroke. “Even 40 years ago, the only treatment available was bed rest. At Heart & Stroke, we are working hard to continue improving quality of care, teaching young people the importance of healthy, active living, and creating more survivors. We could not do it without important initiatives like this.”
The JUMP Rope for Heart program is celebrating 35 years across Canada this year. Other schools participating from the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board include Holy Cross, St. Francis, Mother St. Bride, and St. Victor, who will be running events later this spring as well as Our Lady of Sorrows, who raised $1,400 earlier this year.
Last year, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board schools raised over $7000 cumulatively for JUMP Rope for Heart and the school board also participated in the Big Bike Ride for Heart and Stroke, raising over $4000.
