Westlake Students Raise Nearly $3,000 For Heart Disease

THORNWOOD, N.Y. - In a month known for candy and chocolate hearts, students at Westlake Middle School raised nearly $3,000 for heart disease while keeping their own hearts healthy.

Westlake Middle School students Bianca Maniglia, left, and Caitlyn Lyions pose during the Hoops for Heart event.
Photo Credit: *Eileen Farrell*

by Robert Michelin

02/26/2013 3:00 p.m.

The money was raised through the school's Hoops for Heart fundraiser, organized by middle school gym teacher Tina Nicodema. Students raised the funds throughout the month by collecting donations. The school then held two healthy heart days in gym classes on Feb. 14 and 15 when students played various basketball games such as one-on-one, three-on-three and around the world. Students could dedicate the healthy heart workout to someone they know with heart disease.

All money raised will be donated to the American Heart Association. The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists heart disease as the leading cause of death in the country.

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