Jump Rope for Heart at NPAC Wednesday

As many as 200 students of Chadron’s two elementary schools will gather at the CSC Nelson Physical Activity Center to jump for the American Heart Association on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 3:45-5:15 p.m.

In addition to raising funds to combat heart disease and stroke, this year’s effort in Chadron will benefit elementary schools that were devastated by the May 22 tornado at Joplin, Mo.

Linda Rischling, Chadron physical education teacher, has pledged to donate the gift certificates for physical education equipment – which are granted to schools based on their success in Jump Rope for Heart – to Irving and Emerson elementary schools in Joplin. She has dubbed this year’s event “Jumping for Joplin.”

Rischling said Chadron students are learning about raising awareness of the nation’s health challenges and in offering a helping hand when natural disasters strike. Rischling noted that many of the students and educators in Joplin have been displaced to other locations and have faced incredible facilities challenges since convening this fall.

Rischling said the goals of Jump Rope for Heart hit close to home for a lot of Chadron students.

“We have a lot of students who have been affected by heart disease and stroke, either themselves or their immediate family members,” she said. “It’s not just an age-related thing. Kids in our own community have been affected by it.”

Jump Rope for Heart represents a longstanding relationship between CSC and the Chadron Public Schools. The event provides a way for CSC students to get hands-on experience in managing a large physical education activity for children. Students of two classes taught by Donna Ritzen – individual and dual sports, and elementary rhythmics – will help conduct the event this year.

Rischling said the event has been a big success in Chadron, with 166 children participating last year when Chadron had the top fundraising Jump Rope for Heart event in all of central and western Nebraska.

“I’m really glad that our community supports our kids in events such as Jump Rope for Heart,” Rischling said.