Sts. Joachim & Ann Students Show They Have Heart

The students of Saints Joachim and Ann Catholic School in St. Charles, MO burst through their original $5,000 goal and raised a total of $8,020 for the American Heart Association through the 2019 Kid’s Heart Health Challenge. Many of the students have grandparents or other family members who have been directly impacted by cardiovascular disease, which gives them more motivation to raise funds which benefit the American Heart Association and learn how they can take charge of their own health.

In addition to raising funds and earning $1,000 worth of equipment for their school, P.E. Teacher and Kid’s Heart Challenge Coordinator Lisa Walls recently wrote:

“Perhaps the most important thing that has happened is we have been educating our students on the importance of moving more, eating well (cutting back on sugar and salt, eating lots of fruits and vegetables), not smoking and choosing a healthier lifestyle. This year’s Kid’s Hearth Health program has made a positive step forward by reminding everyone that heart health is also dependent on a healthier lifestyle. This lifestyle includes managing your stress, mental health and well-being. Our students also learned that laughter is truly one of the best medicines for your heart.”

The American Heart Association was founded in 1924 and just celebrated the 40th anniversary of working with schools to raise awareness and raise funds. Saints Joachim and Ann has been participating in these challenges for 9 years and in that time has raised over $25,000.  Barb Reyering, Youth Marketing Director for the American Heart Association stated, “Lisa’s enthusiasm and the hard-working people who care help with donations that stay here in Missouri, plus we can give back with the P.E. equipment. Saints Joachim and Ann need to know that they play a huge part in helping us save lives. There have been advances and many strides over the past five years and it’s all due to research“.  

Lisa Walls commented, “This is the 3rd time I have Coordinated the Kids Heart Challenge in the 4 years I have taught PE here.  I center my whole February curriculum around heart health, so this program is so important for me as a teacher. We had a goal of $5,000 this year and we earned $8,020!  This is more than we made my first year here which was $5,184 and that was at a time when we had about 30 more students than we do now.  I'm not sure why we did this well, but I would attribute it to an improved website.  90% of our $8,020 was made online. The American Heart Association also does some of the most fantastic marketing I've ever seen.  Somehow every year they think of something new and fun.”

Principal Jason Martinez added, “I am extremely proud of Lisa Walls for bringing this program to J&A.  The American Heart Association is a wonderful organization, one I am proud to be partnering with.  I am also very proud of our parish family.  When I heard the goal was $5,000 I wasn't sure if we would reach it.  I don't know why I questioned it though, as this parish continues to come through for each other, time and time again.  They are amazing.  And we didn't just meet it, we crushed it!”