MILTON-FREEWATER – Students at Freewater Elementary School were not only exercising this winter -they were also raising money for the American Heart Association.

Cathy Hendricks said her students went out into the community to seek donations for their three-week jump roping activity. The money raised for the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart totaled $2,693.

“Hard-working students raised more money for the American Heart Association than has been raised in the past 16 years,” Hendricks said.

The top jumper was third grader Kaleb Elliot-Young, who raised $375. For his hard work, he earned a number of prizes including a water bottle, a jump rope, an orbit ball, a T-shirt, a stunt top and a sling bow.

The other top fund raisers at Freewater were third grader Andrew Kain and fifth grader Jolene Brannan ($200 each), fifth grader Laikyn Carnes ($174), 5th grader Jessica Arnzen ($150), and 4th grader Chance Afdahl ($125.)

“I am very proud of our students and very grateful to our very supportive community,” Hendricks said of the students’ fund raising success.