Jump Rope for Heart is held every year on the elementary campuses. This is the 14th year that Debby Vilemez has run this fundraiser.


“We always have it on Valentines Day, or near Valentines Day. Just because it’s healthy heart month. We talk to the kids about our heart and the way it works. We talk about healthy hearts and sick hearts. It’s just a good way to tie it all in to Valentines Day,” said Debbie Vilemez.


“We jump for hearts. Hearts with problems. We’re raising money,” said first grader Mitchell Moore.


“We’re here to jump rope and raise some money for the Arkansas Heart Association. That way we can get other people’s hearts stronger,” said first grader Braiden Adkins.


“They know it’s for a great cause; that any money that they raise, while they’re jumping rope, goes toward research and medicine for people who need it,” said Vilemez.



The kids all have their own reason why this day is meaningful.


“My uncle had a heart problem,” said Moore.


“Cause you get your exercise out,” said Adkins.


Donations can be made to the Arkansas Heart Association at any time.