Elementary student inspired to support AHA through school campaigns

John Servant has hopes that enough money will someday be raised to bring more awareness and research about heart diseases. That’s why the fifth-grade Pleasant Gap Elementary School student works so hard each year helping fundraise for the American Heart Association.
It came when he was a second-grader participating in Jump Rope for Heart with health and physical education teacher Eric Cyone. That year, his second-grade teacher also agreed to dye his hair blue if his class raised the most money for the campaign. And they did!

The annual event aims to promote a healthy wellbeing, while benefiting the AHA. This school year was the 11th time the district has participated in the event.

John said the first year he raised about $500 with help from family and friends. This year, he raised more than $1,200, putting his total contributions among the top four amounts raised in school history.

“It’s good to know you’re helping (fund) for research so people know what to do to keep their hearts healthy,” John said. “I don’t want more people to suffer from it.”

John said his primary inspiration comes from a long family history of heart disease.

“It runs in my family and I had the opportunity to do it because I don’t want other people to lose their life or a family member from it,” he said.
To learn more about the district’s efforts with the Jump Rope for Heart initiative, visit this link: https://www.basd.net/Page/14151.