by Jennifer Yos
LANSING, Ill. (February 1, 2020) – Oak Glen Elementary School kicked off its annual “Hoops for Heart” American Heart Association fundraiser on Thursday, Jan. 30, for its 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-grade students.
The special assembly began with a multi-media “Kids Heart Challenge” presentation starring “Team Heart” cartoon characters promoting positive physical and emotional habits that maintain heart healthfulness.
The presentation included Lansing’s very own “Heart Hero,” special guest speaker Juan Deleon, who shared with the students his personal experiences leading up to and following his 2018 heart transplant. Deleon’s son Anthony, a 4th-grade student at Oak Glen, was in attendance for his father’s talk, as were Deleon’s wife and sister.
Students who choose to participate in the Hoops for Heart fundraiser and who individually raise $5.00 or more donations from family and friends will be eligible to attend Oak Glen’s Hoops for Heart basketball event scheduled for Friday, February 21, 1:30–2:30pm in the school gym. Participants will interact on the court with members of the South Suburban College basketball team.
Money collected from the American Heart Association “Hoops for Heart” fundraiser will be used to help children with heart problems. According the American Heart Association, more than 82 cents of every dollar donated is spent on research, education, and community outreach.
Oak Glen Elementary School is located at 2101 182nd Street in Lansing.
