Matthew Paterson Elementary Students Get Heart Healthy

Matthew Paterson Elementary School students and families are proud heart-healthy members of our community, thanks to the school’s annual participation in the Kids Heart Challenge with the American Heart Association (AHA).

For nearly 20 years, the school has participated in the challenge, learning about hands-only CPR, how to be a leader, what it means to be kind, and creating heart-healthy habits, all while raising funds for the association.

After raising $14,940 during the challenge last year, the school set the bar higher this year, aiming to raise $15,000. Throughout the school, 127 students registered to participate in the challenge with 60 students choosing to focus on being kind and 67 students focused on moving more. Of the students registered, 46 students, along with their families, successfully completed the challenge of learning hands-on CPR through the American Heart Association online video modules.

The school community finished the challenge this year with $17,196 raised, exceeding their goal once again.

“When we kick off the Kids Heart Challenge, we always are optimistic and yet blown away every year by how much the community rallies to make a difference in the lives of so many people in need,” said Jay Memmel, physical education teacher at the school.

“The American Heart Association and Kids Heart Challenge do a phenomenal job creating an updated program each year that the kids can get excited about, and really get involved in, to become a heart hero."

This year, three exceptional students of the 127 registered raised over $1,000 each: Sophia P. (grade 4); Aidan O. (grade 2) and Miah R. (grade 1). Miah was recognized as the top fund-raising student at the entire school, having raised $1,587.42 through her American Heart Association fundraising page.

See official stats from the MPES Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser for the American Heart Association.