Shoot hoops, jump, skip, hop, leap, jog, check your pulse, check your breathing and feel good - students in Hicksville's Burns Avenue, Dutch Lane and Old Country Road Elementary Schools recently got physical and raised over $8,900 for the American Heart Association through the Hoops for Heart and Workout for Heart programs.

Not only did the students benefit by keeping physically active, but their workouts raised awareness of heart health and funds to benefit heart patients and heart education programs across the U.S. Volunteer students met after school and were led by physical education teachers in heart healthy activities at the three elementary schools. Burns, Dutch Lane and Old Country Road PTAs co-sponsored the events and assisted by cheering students on and by supplying drinks and healthy snacks during the events.

As a result of student participation in the program, Burns Avenue Hoops for Heart fourth and fifth graders raised $2,097.52; Burns' second and third grade Workout for Heart volunteers raised $2,894.50; Dutch Lane students raised $2,392.40, and Old Country Road students raised $1,590.00 - for a grand total of $8974.42!

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in this worthwhile program, as well as physical education teachers Rory Lawlor and Al Williamson of Burns Avenue; Tom Glenn and Tom Williams of Dutch Lane; Rob Casale of Old Country Road; as well as the building PTAs for organizing and assisting with the events at their schools.