COLUMBIANA Crestview eighth-graders put their hearts into fund-raiser

The most pupils ever raised was $1,500, with $400 from one family.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- While many school pupils were counting the days until Christmas break, Crestview eighth-graders were counting dollars.
During the week of Dec. 16, the last week of class before Christmas break, the pupils raised $1,205 for the American Heart Association and in memory of seventh-grader Zachary Garwood, who died of cancer Dec. 9.
Physical education and health teacher Greg Rinyo said it's the second-highest total ever for the American Heart Association Hoops for Heart event, which he and fellow physical education and health teacher Cyndi Straney have coordinated for nine years.
Donations
Rinyo said all of the eighth-graders participated in the basketball skills events each day, and about 50 brought in donations from outside the school.
"The kids had perfect attendance all week," he said. "They all participated. I'm really proud of the job they did. That more than half the class went outside the school for donations is amazing."
Rinyo said the total donations for the week included $145 from sponsors, brining the total to $1,350.
"This is the third school system I've worked in, and the Crestview community is the most giving," Rinyo said. "I don't know why. Perhaps it's because it's a small community, but in general, anytime we have an event like this, there is a great response."
One year, pupils and sponsors raised $1,500, which included a $400 donation from one family, he said.
Rinyo said about 100 eighth-graders each year have been able to coax friends, family and area business owners to donate to the American Heart Association, raising between $700 and $1,500 each year.
The right time
Rinyo said he and Straney schedule Hoops for Heart near Christmas break each year because of the Christmas emphasis on charitable giving.
He said some pupils raise funds during the week on behalf of friends or relatives who have heart ailments or have died from heart disease.
He said Zachary's death so near the event brought the need for such fund-raisers close to home and gave the pupils quiet incentive to raise as much money as possible.