Students at Rowland Elementary literally ‘jumped’ at the chance to fight heart disease and stroke, credited by some sources as the nation’s number one and number five killers, respectively. This past February, Rowland hosted its 11th annual Jump Rope For Heart event. The event raised just over $1,000 for the American Heart Association, to help fund lifesaving heart and stroke research as well as community and educational programs for our youth. The Jump Rope For Heart event teaches students how physical fitness benefits their heart and it also demonstrates that volunteering can be a fun, positive experience for the whole community. With child obesity rates at peak levels, the need to educate our children on the importance of physical activity and health is essential. Through Jump Rope For Heart, kids are literally jumping into a healthier lifestyle while becoming passionate about raising money for other kids who are in need. Special thank you to the students of Rowland for participating in this event and for raising so much money.