Jump for your Heart, a program suggested by Principal Dr. Anthony Moyer a few years ago to benefit the students' health and the American Heart Association, was in full swing at Willow Lane Elementary School in Macungie Feb. 22.

Not all students participated in fundraising but they all participated in jumping. Every student received a "Jump Rope for Heart" sticker from the American Heart Association for their participation. According to the AHA website, "It takes a heart to be a hero!"

The program ran all day with each grade jumping an average of 30 minutes.

Students jumping to raise funds received a wristband, T-shirt, jump rope or other prize, according to the amount of funds they raised.

"We use everything we can and it keeps them interested," Health, Wellness and Fitness teacher Nancy Krajcir said. "It's different if they use stations. Music is played throughout the day. It's such an energizer."

Krajcir set up each station for different ways of jumping around the perimeter of the gym, and she timed the students, rotating them from station to station. Stations were equipped with Hippity Hops, Hula-Hoops, jump sticks, mini hurdles, agility ladders, moonwalks, individual jump ropes and Chinese jump ropes or long jump ropes, each requiring three students. Depending which station the students visited, they jumped high, low, forward, backward or sideways.

"We use everything we can and it keeps them interested. It's a great course we do throughout the whole year talking about our heart rates and how to keep our hearts healthy through exercise," Krajcir said.

This year's program was coordinated by kindergarten teacher Nicole Stratchko and facilitated by Krajcir.