Lake Zurich students earn $6,000 for charity by jumping rope

Isaac Fox Elementary School students raised at least $6,000 for the American Heart Association during a Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser Friday, officials said.

"We've been doing this for a number of years and it started with a few of the teachers organizing the students," Principal Jill Brooks said.

It's grown since then, and the PTO Fox Friends now runs the event. Last year, the Lake Zurich school raised more than $10,000, officials said.

The PTO worked closely with American Heart Association liaison Kelly Piskonka. Officials said 81 Lake County schools host similar fundraisers for the organization.

There were 127 fourth and fifth grade students registered to participate in the Isaac Fox event, where students jumped in teams of six for three minutes in intervals during the three-hour event.

"Many students have connections to heart disease, and are dedicating their jump," Brooks said.

One jumper lost a parent to a heart attack, PTO member Mary Rasmussen said

"I think they're very impacted by this," Brooks said. "They realize that this can help someone to lead a longer, more productive life."

Piskonka visited the school before the event and told students the money they collected will help teach CPR and save lives.

"We want our students to be caring students," Brooks said.