Students in Berkeley County School District certainly have a heart for heart health…
The American Heart Association is celebrating Lowcountry schools and students for their exceptional fundraising skills during the 2024-2025 school year as part of the Kids Heart Challenge.
Howe Hall AIMS ended up placing in the top 10 for Lowcountry-area schools who raised the most money; the school clinched eighth place with $19,143.
Additionally, Berkeley County School District also placed in the top 10 districts in the state for its schools’ fundraising efforts. In total, BCSD raise $70,776, ranking fifth in the state.
Howe Hall AIMS P.E. teacher Kim Pond leads the school’s fundraiser for the association every year. She said the school has participated in the American Heart Association campaigns Jump Rope for Heart or Kids Heart Challenge since the school was established as an arts magnet school.
Pond has raised money for the American Heart Association for 29 years. She said the school has raised more than $10,000 a year for more than 20 years now, and the highest amount was $25,000 – before the school added its Boosterthon fundraiser.
Howe Hall AIMS has roughly 425 students and were up against schools with more than 1,000 students that raised money for the American Heart Association, so needless to say Pond is proud of her school community for its ongoing support.
“I am beyond excited,” she said. “We have made the top 15 in the state for the past 10 years.”
For nearly 50 years, the American Heart Association has worked with educators in elementary, middle and high schools across the nation to help students learn about healthy living. The Kids Heart Challenge and the American Heart Challenge are service-learning based programs that give students the opportunity to feel good, while doing good. It’s a way for students to better their life — all while changing someone else’s. Students, families and staff also learn valuable life skills, including how to make smart food choices, the importance of avoiding vaping/tobacco and the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR.
“We are incredibly proud to recognize these schools and students as top Kids Heart Challenge participants,” said Rachel Stanley, development director for school engagement with the American Heart Association in Charleston. “By prioritizing heart health and physical activity, they are setting a powerful example for students, families and the entire community. Their dedication underscores the importance of instilling healthy habits in young people, ensuring longer, healthier lives for all.”
The American Heart Association pulls together step-by-step instructions for P.E. teachers to help them host fun activities in their school with engaging educational modules that teach heart-healthy information to students. In her P.E. classes, Pond taught jump roping skills the month prior to the school’s fundraising event and its finale. For the finale, she set up exciting jump stations for students to participate in while jamming to music. Family members also came out to support the cause.
Principal Ashley McAlister said heart disease has touched many Howe Hall AIMS families, so the school is very involved in the American Heart Association.
“I am deeply grateful to Mrs. Pond for all she does behind the scenes to unite our school in support of this meaningful cause,” she said. “Thank you to all our Chameleons that participated last year. We look forward to helping again this year.”
BCSD ended up having 18 schools participate in fundraising for the association last year. Most schools raised more than $1,000. Behind Howe Hall AIMS, Cane Bay Elementary raised the second-highest amount in the district with $8,439, followed by College Park Elementary with $4,328.