25年来,这些老师帮助孩子们迎接心脏挑战
在马萨诸塞州的北阿特尔伯勒中学,为美国心脏协会筹款是一件严肃的事情.
With an annual enrollment of around 900 students, 这所学校获得了州和国家的最高捐赠奖,筹集了超过1美元.48 million since 1998 through its annual "Hoops for Heart" event.
The event is part of the AHA's American Heart Challenge, which is aimed at improving the social, emotional and physical health of middle and high school students. 美国心脏协会为小学生举办了一个类似的项目,叫做“儿童心脏挑战”. These service-learning fundraisers encourage physical activity, while raising donations and awareness for heart health, Hands-Only CPR, mental well-being and more.
Founded in 1924, 20世纪40年代末,美国心脏协会开始以公共教育为重点进行大规模筹款. 1979年,密尔沃基的一名教师Jean Barkow举办了一场跳绳活动,将体育活动与筹款活动结合起来,从此,美国心脏协会正式开始动员学童的心灵和思想来对抗心血管疾病. Today's challenges, run by the AHA, 提供及时和适合年龄的资源,使每个学校能够定制如何教授信息和如何筹集资金.
At North Attleboro, 体育老师Jason Feid和John Dempsey从一开始就在他们学校负责篮球比赛. 他们的努力为他们赢得了2023年美国心脏协会颁发的年度杰出团队奖.
邓普西说:“最令人兴奋的是看到每年的增长. "The first year was disappointing because we only raised $630. But we knew we could do more. 然后孩子们和家人越来越多地参与并支持我们所做的一切.
"That excitement is what kept us going."
在过去的25年里,该校有超过1.6万名学生参加了这项活动.
“参与的人数之多让我们大吃一惊,”费德说. "It's such a high-energy event. 每隔三年,我们就会有一群新的孩子,总是令人兴奋,总是有新的东西."
North Attleboro's fundraiser, scheduled Wednesday, April 24 this year, 包括一个全校范围的派对,学生们可以参加各种有趣的活动,比如扣篮大赛, inflatable obstacle courses and a teacher dunk tank. The school also welcomes local celebrities and other guests. Some notable speakers have included New England Patriots stars, college athletes, heart disease survivors and more.
邓普西说:“在那一天,学校和社区的团结程度令人惊讶. “哥哥姐姐们谈论这件事,这会让他们的弟弟妹妹们感到兴奋. 有些人甚至讲述了他们的父母在学校做挑战的故事."
两人与参与活动的每个人分享了学校成功的功劳, including staff, parents, volunteers and community leaders. They're also quick to praise the students.
"Middle school kids are very competitive," Feid said. “知道我们是顶尖学校让这些孩子不想失去这个头衔."
The challenge also helps students adapt to a changing world.
“这对我们来说是一个巨大的推广机会,有助于宣传我们的体育部门不仅仅是体育课," Feid said. "We're wellness teachers. 我们利用这个活动向学生们展示一切都是相互联系的. Mental health, anxiety, stress, family history, diet – all of these things matter when trying to care for our hearts."
老师们说,从小培养健康的生活方式很重要. 该活动还帮助学生们感受到与其他处理心脏问题的人的联系.
"Students feel less alone," Feid said. “很多时候,他们会说,‘我以为我的家人是唯一受心脏病影响的人.'"
That sentiment hits close to home for Feid, who lost his brother Daniel at age 47 to a heart attack last year. The loss only strengthens his dedication to the event.
"The work we are doing matters," he said. “当我问孩子们他们的家人是否受到心脏病的影响时,几乎每个人都举起了手.
"I want fewer and fewer hands to go up every year."