Schools
Bodkin Elementary's Heart Of Gold Shines at Jump Rope For Heart
Students, faculty and parents worked together to raise over $19,000 during the annual fundraising event.
The kids, parents and friends of Bodkin Elementary School came together on Friday to raise more than $19,000 for the American Heart Association during their annual Jump Rope for Heart event.
The fourth and fifth graders, around 200 total, at Bodkin arrived at the school's auditorium after class to participate by jumping rope. They also collected donations from family members and others to contribute to the event. The other grades jumped rope during their physical education classes.
The event is dedicated to the memory of student Taylor Waltman, who passed away from a heart condition several years ago.
"It's a cause very close to a lot of our hearts here," said fifth-grade teacher Eileen Reiner, who added that this has been the school's biggest moneymaking year since they started hosting the event.
Parents and students were able to raise money from donors throughout the country.
"My son raised $500," said Melissa Odon, mother of Ben Odon. "He talked to relatives, friends and neighbors all the way down to Georgia and Pennsylvania."
The top fundraiser during this year's event was student Alissa Shiflett, who raised $1,058 with help from her father and the employees at Brown's Toyota and Scion of Glen Burnie.
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