Jump-roping students raise over $3,500

WOODLAND — Raising $3,584 for the American Heart Association was merely a hop, skip and a jump away for students of the Woodland Consolidated School.

Second-grader Olivia Blackstone was a hula-hooping machine on April 13, during the Jump Rope for Heart event at the Woodland Consolidated School.

First- through fifth-grade classes gathered sponsors for their heart-healthy jumping endeavors and when the last of the ropes had been skipped, the massive fund-raising amount had been earned. Participating in the Jump Rope for Heart program is an annual event at the Woodland school.

Holly McDougal, a fifth-grader at the school, even raised $625 herself by gathering generous sponsors.

For every $50 in sponsorship the students obtained, they received one raffle ticket that was placed in a giant container; fifth-grader Ghent Durepo was the lucky students who won the raffle for a brand new bike.

While the students enjoyed the fun afternoon of jump rope and hula hoop on April 13, no one walked away from the event empty-handed.

Third-grader Hannah Landeen got some air while jump roping on April 13.

Aside from the pride students felt knowing they’d helped the American Heart Association, they each took a trip to the prize table.

As Principal Susie Schloeman explained, the school puts together a table full of gifts to keep the raffle excitement going after the coveted free bike has been drawn.

There were enough prizes for every single student to take a trip to the prize table — enthusiastic fundraisers even took numerous prize-table walks (12, in the case of super fundraiser McDougal).

Photo Contributed
by Laurie Sheehan
At left, first-grader Jacob Oliver had some spring in his step jumping through hula-hoops on April 13.

Photo Contributed
by Laurie Sheehan
A first-grader at the Woodland Consolidated School, Caitlyn Arce hopped her way through the annual Jump Rope For Heart event on April 13.