Brooke Elementary Named Top Fundraiser for American Heart Association

This release was sent by Spring-Ford Area School District.

The American Heart Association named Brooke Elementary a top five fundraiser in Bucks and Montgomery counties and top 25 in the entire Great Rivers Affiliate — an area which encompasses Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia — after the school raised $15,124.49 during its 2011-12 Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart programs.

The annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser is held to collect money for the American Heart Association and support the countless programs the organization conducts for the community. The event has first- through fourth-grade students participate in a jumping circuit and complete various jumping activities during their physical education classes.

By collecting donations from family members, friends, neighbors and community members, students were able to reach the impressive fundraising mark. Since the program started at the school more than four years ago, Brooke Elementary students have raised $45,933.83 for the American Heart Association.

To reward students for their hard work, the school holds a culminating basketball game — Hoops for Heart — that allows the top 12 student fundraisers to play against some of Brooke’s faculty and staff members, including building Principal Dr. Edward Mackel.

Joelle Bieber, Jump Rope for Heart coordinator and Brooke Elementary physical education teacher, said she is proud of the accomplishments of the school’s staff, students, parents and friends because they have demonstrated the difference individuals can truly make when they come together for a unified cause.

“These awards were made possible because our school community wanted to help a worthy organization that is dedicated to serving others affected by heart-related illnesses,” Bieber added.

“I am thrilled to be named a top 5 and top 25 fundraiser by the American Heart Association, and I commend all of the teachers, staff, parents, students and community members who made those recognitions possible,” Mackel said.

For the school’s fundraising efforts, it received a congratulatory letter from the American Heart Association.