Coaches at both Sunset and Butler Avenue schools say it is because of a supportive community that students were able to transform a mere jump rope day into an $11,000 fund-raising extravaganza.

The American Heart Association’s national fund-raising program, Jump Rope for Heart, “promotes the value of physical activity to elementary schoo l children while showing them they can contribute to their community’s welfare.”

According to physical education coach Jennifer Honeycutt, this event is spread throughout the entire year; however, Butler Avenue always does it around Valentine’s Day because of the “heart” and “love” themes already lingering in the air.

During the last two weeks of February, the students who donated a minimum of $5 at Butler Avenue and $2 at Sunset Avenue were invited to join the jump rope festivities.

“The reason there is a minimum of a few dollars is because the certificates and prizes do actually cost the Heart Association some money,” Sunset Avenue physical education teacher Jim Squibb revealed.

Although the coaches requested a slight minimum, they encouraged the students to raise as much as they could.

“We tell them not to go door-to-door; instead, we tell them to take it home to relatives. We also encourage them to give a little, too, by telling them, ‘anytime they do something nice, they will feel a little better about themselves,’” Squibb reiterated.

“We also tell them that some of the (heart) research may help them some day,” coach Julie Pope added.

The “research” that Pope referred to was the American Heart Association’s lifesaving heart and stroke research. With roughly 60 percent of the funds going towards preventing the loss of roughly 877,000 (American) lives per year, Honeycutt said the remaining 40 percent will be used towards public health education.

“When we asked if they have ever known anyone who has had a heart attack, about two-thirds of the class raised their hands,” Squibb explained about the number one killer in America — heart disease.

Even though “the two separate events are pretty much about the same, in that the proceeds go to the Heart Association,” Squibb stated, each coach hosted a different day.

For Honeycutt, the Jump Rope for Heart day was actually more like a carnival.

“We had four stations. Of course there was jump roping, but we also had face painting, rock climbing and a popsicle stand. When I asked the kids what their favorite thing was, they said it was the popsicle,” Honeycutt recalled.

Even with “little” things bringing cheer to the students at Butler Avenue, they were able to raise well over $6,700.

Top sellers Connor King, $155, and Jacob Bauman, $150, were also entered into a drawing for a trip to Walt Disney World; however, no further information on this was reported.

A week later, on the other end of Clinton, at Sunset Avenue, approximately 300 students participated in the Jump Rope for Heart fund raising, out of 500 students.

With a day dedicated to strictly jump roping, Squibb said the participating fourth and fifth graders raised $4,531.

“We’re talking over $11,000 (between the schools) in these tough economic times,” Squibb expressed.

“That is a lot for Clinton and two little schools,” Honeycutt advanced.

“That is one thing about Clinton,” Squibb declared, “people always help when we need them.”

“Thank you to the community for the support,” Honeycutt emphasized, adding, “We have a very supportive community that is always willing to donate.”

Honeycutt also expressed her thanks to the Clinton High School Beta Club and parents for volunteering at the event.

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at 910- 592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@myclintonnc.com