Heart- healthy program
Hollywood elementary school hosts annual Heart Run
February is National Heart Month, and even the smallest of hands and hearts are participating.
As part of the month- long campaign and in conjunction with National Wear Red Day, 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 the annual Hollywood Central Elementary School Heart Run. The event, which kicked off with the kindergarten class, benefited the American Heart Association, Joe Di Maggio Children’sHospital 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 have raised as much as $ 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] Ihope they take away the importance of exercise and wellness.”
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 Jump Rope for Heart portion. Older kids were also part of a health, wellness and nutrition presentation by Joe DiMaggio staff.
“This is one of the most anticipated events of the school year,” said fifth- year parent volunteer Kate Landi, who has 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 excited to participate and happy to be outside. Most took more 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 jump rope, too. We’re helping sick kids.”
After the exercise, kids got water bottles courtesy of the hospital and oranges from Whole Foods in Aventura.
“Now they’ll sit and relax and enjoy,” Decembert said.