Students at Evergreen Academy Elementary School in Bothell recently hosted their annual Jump Rope For Heart program and raised nearly $12,000 for the American Heart Association (AHA).

The AHA funds lifesaving heart and stroke research, and community and educational programs for kids.

During the month leading up to the school’s Jump Rope For Heart event on Feb. 10, the students raised funds, learned how to jump rope and participated in discussions about how to keep their hearts healthy.

At the culminating event, all students, ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, jumped rope for 30 minutes and participated in a variety of jump rope challenges. The students’ donations will support research and education that helps decrease the impact of heart disease and stroke within the community.

For 38 years, millions of students have jumped rope and learned about heart health and how nutrition and physical activity can help prevent heart disease and stroke.

Jump Rope For Heart is co-sponsored by the American Heart Association and SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators. For more information, visit www.heart.org/jump.