The outpouring of the hearts of West Chester Area School District youth was commended last week after they achieved a heart-quickening milestone — all the walking, running, jumping rope, hoops and volleyball raised $114,000 for the American Heart Association during the 2014-2015 school year and eclipsed the $1 million mark since 1999.
“What is increasingly exciting and what we are so thankful for is that the West Chester Area School District is the No. 1 school district for fundraising in the Youth Market Programs across the entire state of Pennsylvania,” Youth Market Vice President Ashley Schade said in a Daily Local News report.
It’s a stunning accomplishment that Schade called an “amazing” testament to the generosity of district youth, teachers and families at their 10 schools. “We really, really thank you.”
The annual fundraising pumps much-needed money toward the American Heart Association’s “2020 Impact Goal, which is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while also reducing deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20 percent,” the article stated.
“I’m humbled by your consistent commitment and success to our shared mission,” AHA Board President Ken Margulies said. “The dollars your students, families and teachers help to raise support, more than anything, research and education.”
Read more about the fundraising feat and last week’s plaque presentation in the Daily Local News here.
