Yes, I'm doing it again...3rd year in a row!

This is from Smiln's daughter, Bethany.

Hi. I am participating in Jump Rope for Heart again this year. This is my third year jumping! I am 11 years old and go to Briarwood Elementary in Oklahoma City, OK.

This is special to me because my grandfather died of heart disease. If you can spare a dollar or two, I would be very happy. So would the people who have heart problems. If you would like to share your stories here about people you know with heart disease, I would like to hear them, too. It makes me feel good to know I'm helping others.

Here is a link to my web page (on the AHA web site).

http://www.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=32063&u=32063-14589271&e=51660390

Thank you for your time.

Love,
Bethany

Go Bethany Go!

Jump! Jump! Jump!

Hope you do well!

Hi Bethany! Congratulations on your commitment to this cause. I would like to donate. You have mail!

Ok, two things. First, the web site will only allow for donations of $25 or more. If you are like me, that's a fair amount of money. :) So, anything you'd like to donate below that amount can be done by sending a check or money order made out to the American Heart Assocation and sending it directly to us. We will then put all of the donations in her envelope and turn it in the day she jumps. Last year, she raised over $650.

The other thing isn't an essential issue, but I want it to be clear. It wasn't Bethany's Grandfather who died of heart disease, it was her Great-Grandfather (my mom's dad). He died when my mom was only 19 years old. Again, not all that important, but I wanted to set the record straight. :)

Very painless way to do a good thing...you GO GIRL..!!

Thanks for your contribution, Kris. You're so sweet to help out. As soon as it quits raining here, I think Bethany plans to go door-to-door. She wants to take Kaley, too, as people really respond to little kids. :) We'll do anything to pull on heartstrings. It's for a good cause, right? :)

Both my moms (my mom and my husband's mom) died as a result of heart disease due to a lifetime of smoking. I would be more than happy to contribute in their memory. Good for you, Bethany---you go girl!!! You have mail coming your way!

i think trhis is great. keep up the good work

good for you ,great cause,I'm checking to see if local schools are participating, of course I want in on this.

Been watching this thread, and now I'm checking in to see how the trip around the neighborhood went?
Did you get many folks to sign up?

Good luck sweetie!

My check went out in todays mail.

I haven't gotten an address yet....

You've got mail.

So far, Bethany has $125 in donations. Woohooo!

Thanks everyone!

Ruth,

Thanks for your donation and the sweet note to Bethany. She loves to get mail, too, so this was a double joy. :)

I have to tell you something else. There is a girl in her class at school who lives in a group home because her mom has a drug problem (has been in this group home for 6 yrs now). Because of where she lives, she has a hard time collecting donations, so she just threw her donation envelope away in frustration. Bethany asked me today if we could invite the girl over to spend the night tomorrow so that they could go door to door and ask for donations. Bethany said they'd pool all of their money and then share the prizes at the end of the program. She just amazes me.

Carla, that is so nice of you to share that! Bethany is certainly learning the beauty of sharing. What a wonderful daugheter you have!

You have a sweet young lady there Carla.

Well, the collecting is over. The school only gave the kids about a week and a half to collect donations, so not a lot of time.

Bethany and her friend collected over $300.00, so that's pretty good. Thank you those of you who wrote encouraging notes and sent donations. Everything you do is so much appreciated.

Wow! The girls raised more than anyone else in the school. How cool is that?

I sent a check last year and have since lost your address. Please send e-mail (and bump this up) Frank

We can forward your check to the AHA. The actual collection for the school is over now, however. I will email you our address.