Heart- healthy program
Hollywood school hosts annual Heart Run
February isNationalHeart Month, and even the smallest of hands and hearts are participating.
As part of the month- long campaign and in conjunction withNationalWear RedDay, a Hollywood school recently did its part to raise money and awareness.
Students, teachers, administrators and volunteers put on their red outfits and laced up their sneakers to participate in theannualHollywood Central Elementary School Heart Run. The event, which kicked off with the kindergarten class, benefited the American Heart Association, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and the school.
“We’ve always done a heart run,” said Principal Delicia Decembert. “Joe DiMaggio has been a partner in education for five years, and we wanted to be able to support them, too.”
Decembert said students haveraised asmuchas$ 7,000 in years past. This year’s Heart Run had more than 540 student participants.
“I hope kids take away the charity aspect of giving back,” Decembert said. “That’s a running theme with us all year. [ And] I hope they take away the importance of exercise andwellness.”
One grade level at a time, students headed out to the playground for a 20- minute run around the block. Once finished with the run, students could participate in the JumpRopeforHeartportion. Older kidswere also part of a health, wellnessandnutrition presentation by Joe DiMaggio staff.
“This is one of the most anticipated events of the school year,” said fifth- year parent volunteer Kate Landi, whohas both a kindergartner and fourth- grader at Hollywood Central. “There must have been a lot of talk in the classrooms, too. Everyone was looking forward to it.”
The youngsters were excitedtoparticipateandhappy tobeoutside. Most tookmore than one lap around the block, running in groups or competing with each other.
“I like the running mostly,” said a breathless but excited Luigi Landi, 6. “I like the jumprope, too. We’re helping sick kids.”
After the exercise, kids got water bottles courtesy of the hospital and oranges from Whole Foods inAventura.
“Now they’ll sit and relax and enjoy,” Decembert said.