When Linville Edom Elementary School (LEES) set out to raise $1,500 for the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge this year, Physical Education teacher Crystal Jordan knew it would take more than just asking students to donate. What she didn't expect was how their small school would transform a fundraising challenge into a powerful lesson about community, compassion, and the impact of collective action.
By the time the challenge ended, LEES had raised an astounding $4,849.11, more than triple their original goal, proving that when it comes to making a difference, size doesn't matter nearly as much as heart.
Jordan's approach to the Kids Heart Challenge was built on three pillars: making it fun, visible, and meaningful. From the start, she knew that engaging elementary students required creativity and excitement that went beyond traditional fundraising methods.
"We kicked things off by talking in PE class about healthy hearts and life lessons like getting active, asking for help, resting well, and being kind," Jordan explained. But it was the promise of fun incentives that really captured students' attention, including the chance to pie a teacher in the face or tape Principal Karen Ridder to the wall.
These playful rewards served a dual purpose: they energized participation while creating memorable moments that reinforced the challenge's core message. As students watched their fundraising total grow through visual trackers in the hallways and regular announcements, each milestone brought them closer to unlocking these coveted prizes.
What set LEES apart wasn't just their fundraising success, but how they wove heart health education throughout the school experience. Jordan incorporated Heart Hero survivor stories into her PE lessons and created interactive experiences that helped students understand how their hearts work. During the school's Literacy Night, she set up a journey "through the heart" where students could visualize blood flow, and even taught hands-only CPR, a potentially life-saving skill.
The challenge also extended into homes through Family Wellness Week, where families participated in healthy activities together after school. "Whether it was going for a walk, cooking a healthy meal, or playing an active game, it was a great way to extend the message of heart health beyond the classroom and into the home," Jordan noted.
One particularly inspiring example of community investment came from a family who organized their own bake sale, selling cakes and cookies to contribute to the school's fundraising efforts, demonstrating the kind of creativity and commitment that characterized the entire challenge.
The success of LEES's Kids Heart Challenge wasn't achieved in isolation. According to Gina Washington, Development Director for School Engagement at the American Heart Association, "Crystal and the whole staff, including Principal Ridder, went above and beyond sharing the messaging and encouraging the students to participate. They had two other fundraisers going on at the same time, so we were so grateful for all the donations and excitement with the students and families. Crystal is an absolute rockstar!"
This recognition of the entire school community's involvement highlights how the challenge became more than just a PE class project, it became a school-wide celebration of giving back and healthy living.
For Jordan, the real victory wasn't the impressive fundraising total, but the lessons students learned about their own capacity to make a difference. "I hope students walk away from the Kids Heart Challenge understanding that their choices and actions matter, not just for their own health, but for others as well," she reflected.
The challenge taught students that even small actions can add up to significant change, a lesson reinforced every time they saw their fundraising total grow. By connecting physical activity, heart health education, and charitable giving, the program showed students they have the power to impact lives beyond their own.
When asked what it meant for a small school to achieve such remarkable results, Jordan's response captured the heart of their success: "At LEES, we may be a small school, but we have a big heart. Impact is not about size, it's about commitment, compassion, and community."
The fact that LEES raised over $4,800 while managing two other simultaneous fundraisers speaks to the dedication of students, families, and staff who embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Every student became a "Heart Hero" in their own right, whether through fundraising, encouraging others, or simply participating with enthusiasm.
For other schools considering the Kids Heart Challenge, Jordan's advice is simple but profound: "Go for it, you won't regret it! The Kids Heart Challenge is more than just a fundraiser; it's a powerful way to teach students about heart health, kindness, and the impact they can have on others."
Her formula for success, make it fun, make it visible, and make it meaningful, offers a roadmap for schools looking to engage students in charitable giving while reinforcing important life lessons about health and community service.
The story of LEES and their Kids Heart Challenge success serves as a reminder that the most powerful educational experiences often happen when schools connect learning to real-world impact. In transforming a fundraising challenge into a celebration of health, kindness, and community action, Linville Edom Elementary proved that when it comes to making a difference, heart matters more than size.
Through the Kids Heart Challenge, students across the country learn about heart health while raising funds for the American Heart Association's research and education programs. Schools interested in participating can find more information about the program and its educational resources through the American Heart Association.