Feature article

Garden Springs students give their all

Article by Tammy Lane
January 18, 2008

The kids at Garden Springs Elementary have a lot of heart , and they have proved it annually for more than 20 years with Jump Rope for Heart, a fund-raiser for the American Heart Association.
  Garden Springs last year bounded over the $100,000 milestone. On Feb. 7, students aim to add to that total.
  The event is one of the top draws at Garden Springs even though the school does not receive the proceeds.
  “I think it’s because we have a good leader, and it’s for a good cause,” said principal Karen Borders.
  That leader is Kathy Yeary, who has taught physical education for 26 years at Garden Springs, where she herself attended elementary school.
  “I have people in my family who have died of heart disease,” she said. “I want to emphasize to the kids that if you keep your heart strong, maybe you won’t have heart issues when you’re an adult.”
  Jump Rope for Heart is a national educational fund-raiser sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The program has two goals: To get elementary students involved in a physical activity and to raise funds for heart and stroke research.
  As Yeary explains it to her students:
• It’s a way for them to help other people.
• They can jump rope to make their hearts stronger.
• By jumping and helping others, they can earn prizes.
  “You wouldn’t believe all the participation,” Borders said. “Kathy Yeary is well-liked in the community, and the students look forward to it.”
  Mandy McFarland, the youth market director handling central and eastern Kentucky for the American Heart Association, also praised Garden Springs and its success.
  “It speaks volumes about that community and Mrs. Yeary and the efforts she’s put into it,”
McFarland said, noting that about three dozen Fayette County elementary and middle schools usually participate in the Jump Rope for Heart.
  “Fayette County is a jewel to work with,” she added.
  McFarland’s predecessor, Ashley Taylor, also cited Yeary’s enthusiasm for Jump Rope for Heart.
  “She’s built it up to be such a big event for the kids, but she doesn’t lose sight of the education side of it, too,” Taylor said.
  Yeary schedules the Garden Springs fund-raiser in February, around Valentine’s Day, in conjunction with teaching heart-healthy habits in her health classes. This year’s after-school event (Feb. 7) also coincides with the school’s annual book fair, which benefits the school library.
  Students line up sponsors and gather donations in advance. The more money they collect, the more prizes they take home.
  On the big day, Yeary divides the children by age, and they rotate jumping rope for an hour – as individuals, teams and in groups. About 200 of the school’s 625 students usually participate. Those who are too young and not yet coordinated enough to skip rope can simply lay the rope on the floor and jump over it, she says.
  “It’s just the whole idea of moving, really, to make their hearts strong.”
Her husband and her parents count the money envelopes during the event so Yeary can announce the total at the end.
  When the prizes arrive about three weeks later, Garden Springs holds a school assembly for participants and recognizes the top fund-raisers.
  The prizes include water bottles, jump ropes and magnets, all from the American Heart Association. Yeary says most of the kids collect between $50 and $75 apiece, to get a T-shirt.

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