LADY LAKE - What if jumping rope could help halt heart disease, giving children a significant role in the effort? That's what the pupils at The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake were trying to do Friday morning as part of the Jump Rope For Heart event. But what they had already done was give of themselves to help other people.

Tina Colson, physical education teacher at the school, said this event is important in raising awareness of the importance of exercise in overall health.

“This event is sponsored by the American Heart Association and raises money to help fight heart disease and stroke," Colson said. “Children learn about jump rope skills and heart health in physical education. We work on our skills for about six weeks and culminate the unit with a celebratory day when students bring in donations they have collected."

Colson said the school's goal last year was $15,000. The students went above and beyond the goal by raising $19,779.

“We were first place in Lake County and were pleasantly surprised to learn we were 10th place in Florida and 89th place in the United States," Colson said. “Out of 21,695 schools, that was quite an accomplishment!"

Anne Casey, youth market director with the American Heart Association in Lake County, said Colson and the Lady Lake area are always good about getting support for fighting heart disease.

Karly Nelson, a fifth-grader, said she was a little tired after her jump-rope fun, but it was for a good cause.

“It was good because I was mostly doing it for Grandpa," she said.

Troy Hayward said he jumps rope as much as he can. He already gets a lot of exercise chasing rabbits at home. Both activities keep him in good shape.

“It keeps you healthy and it gets you strong," Troy said.

Like any other pupil at the school, Harry Adams also wanted to help out in the jump-rope event. Little did he know that something he created would be a big help.

Harry, a fourth-grader, completed an art assignment for Debby Sopotnick's art class that was full of geometric shapes. In cooperation with Starbucks coffee shop, the art class's creations hang on their walls for people to see.

One customer, Robin Muhlbauer, wanted to buy Harry's work for $20, which was a surprise to Harry. She came by the school to give Harry and his parents a letter to state her intentions.

Harry wanted to donate the money from the sale to the school's fundraising event. He was thinking of someone he knew who had to deal with heart problems.

“My grandpa died because of a stroke," Harry said.

Muhlbauer was happy to learn that Harry was giving the money to a good cause.

“I thought it was very nice," Muhlbauer said. “The teacher said it was a real good thing for him."

Sean Maxfield is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9303, or sean.maxfield@thevillagesmedia.com .

This is cache, read story here