After a school year unlike any other, during which students, faculty and staff battled the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Habersham County students did something amazing to give back to their communities. This past year, the school system raised over $56,000 for the American Heart Association and ranked number 8 out of 180 schools across the state of Georgia for fundraising totals.
The organization’s school fundraising program builds awareness for healthy lifestyles, as well as raises funds to save lives and give back to schools. This year, 1,900 Habersham students took the Heart Healthy Challenge, encouraging students to be kind, as well as take care of their physical and mental health. The AHA gave back $3,900 for physical education equipment this academic year, as well as provided mental health, nutrition and lesson plan resources to the school.
Holly Marbut, a representative from the American Heart Association, appeared at Monday night’s Habersham Board of Education meeting to thank the school system for their fundraising efforts and encourage Habersham principals to participate in the Heart Healthy Challenge.
“Our hearts are in it for them [the students], and they’re also in it to help others,” Marbut said.
Marbut presented awards to the principals of the schools with the highest fundraising totals at the meeting. Fairview Elementary School ranked third in the elementary education category with Level Grove in second. Demorest Elementary School raised the most out of all 12 participating Habersham schools, raising more than $20,000 and placing within the top 35 fundraising totals in the state.
In secondary education, South Habersham Middle School placed second for fundraising totals. North Habersham Middle School placed first, raising over $5,000.
The AHA and Superintendent Matthew Cooper are hopeful to raise even more funds this school year.
View Marbut’s full presentation to the BOE here.
