The Shadow
Kiersten Smith, the 2009 Tiny Miss Queen of Hearts, in collaboration with Edgemont Primary School and Jeter-Watson Intermediate School, will hold a fundraiser for the American Heart Association April 23.
The fundraiser will be Jump for Heart for Edgemont Primary School students and Hoops for Heart for Jeter Watson students.
Students received a form through their schools and are asking the community to help by sponsoring the student with a flat donation. April 23, Edgemont students will have various jump rope games during the school day, while Jeter-Watson students will have an array of basketball activities during their school day.
Smith, a 2nd grader at Edgemont Primary, is hoping to raise awareness of the importance of exercise and heath to students. Jump for Heart and Hoops for Heart are both national programs through the American Heart Association to promote health and heart awareness to school-age children.
The fundraiser adds a personal emotion for Jeter-Watson students and staff as one of their fellow classmates, Deane Harmon.
Harmon, 12, is in the 5th grade and knows all about the importance of the American Heart Association. She was born with a double aortic arch and went undiagnosed with heart trouble until an unexpected car wreck forced her to have x-rays done through the hospital.
The diagnosis was a double aortic arch in which her valve was leaking backwards. At the age of 10, Harmon had to have major heart surgery at Duke University Medical Center in order to fix the valve.
Harmon stated, “I was in the hospital for about two weeks and I tried walking everyday. At first it was hard, but then it started the get easier. At least I found out when I was young instead of waiting until I was older.”
If you are interested in making a donation, call Edgemont Primary School at 962-1420 or Jeter-Watson Intermediate at 962-1430.
