Knotty Oak students are all 'heart'
By: Jessica Selby 02/14/2006


Students from Knotty Oak Middle School in Coventry raised more than $7,000 for the American Heart Association last year, earning themselves honors as third-best in the state in their fundraising.
A representative from the American Heart Association arrived at the school on Monday morning to present the physical education department with a plaque to commemorate their hard work.
"With the money that you raised we are able to fund research to help people successfully recover from heart attack and strokes," said Donna Tringali, the youth marketing director for the Rhode Island division of the American Heart Association. "What you have done is invaluable to the Heart Association and for the people of this community that are helped as a result of your efforts."
Seventh-grader Dylan Lincoln was the top fund-raiser last year, turning in more than $100, but this year he has already far surpassed that figure. Only a few days into the fund raising campaign, Dylan has already turned in $285.
"I asked a lot of neighbors and family, and they were all willing to donate," he said. "Some people gave me $10 and some gave me a little more or a little less. They know it's for a good cause, so they were all pretty generous."
In addition to the outside monetary collections, students are also active in the initiative in school. During physical education classes they participate in a variety of competitive and noncompetitive basketball-related activities in conjunction with the Hoops for Heart Campaign. Teachers have coordinated a program including a free throw and lay up competition, three vs. three games and some basic hoop and jump rope activities.
"All week long we have the kids participate in the various activities that we have organized to go along with the Hoops for Heart fund raiser," said Jan McMahon, the physical education teacher at Knotty Oak, who spearheads the campaign.
The students are also encouraged by the physical education department to put someone's name on the Memory Wall. The idea, McMahon said, is for students to take a construction paper heart and write on it the name of the person they are raising money to honor. Dylan Lincoln campaigned for his grandfather, who suffered but survived a major heart attack.
The Hoops for Heart campaign, Tringali said, is a great way to bring students together for a combination of good causes - both physical activity and community service. Students, while participating in healthy exercises and activities, will also experience a feeling of pride knowing that they are helping to save lives in their own community.
School Principal Michael Convery was ecstatic about his school's fund-raising efforts.
"What the students here at Knotty Oak Middle School have done is a significant accomplishment," Tringali said. "They are not alone, though. All of the schools in Coventry through their physical education and health classes have been so receptive to our fund raisers."
Students at Knotty Oak Middle School will continue to raise funds through the remainder of this week, so do not be surprised if someone knocks on your door asking for a contribution. Anyone interested in making a donation may do so at the school.