Goodings Grove Raises $16K For Kids Heart Challenge

HOMER GLEN, IL — Goodings Grove School raised over $16,000 for the American Heart Association after its annual Kids Heart Challenge in February. Over the past five years, Goodings Grove has raised over $100,000 for the organization.

Physical Education teacher Tammie Ebel said the school has held an annual fundraiser for the American Heart Association for years, and it was previously called the Kids Heart Challenge.

"This school year is much, much different," Ebel said. Usually, February's lessons in physical education class focus on the heart, how it pumps blood, and the risks of heart disease. Due to schedule changes from the pandemic, students meet for physical education classes once a week, so some normal lessons couldn't take place.

Ebel said a lot of schools canceled their annual fundraisers, but she and fellow physical education teacher William Keasler figured they'd still try to hold the event.

"This year felt really special for our school," Keasler said.

$16,036 was raised from online fundraising, T-shirt sales to students and staff, and a Valentine lollipop sale. 188 students joined in for online fundraising this year.

The money raised goes to the American Heart Association, which is a nonprofit that invests in research fighting against heart disease and stroke.