JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

BY JENNIFER ELDER
ABOUT JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

 In September 1979, only 18 months after the inaugural event, the American Heart Association – and co-sponsor
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance – adopted “Jump Rope For Heart”
nationwide.
 Jump Rope For Heart has generated more than $750 million to fund research and education about heart disease,
the No. 1 killer of all Americans.
 The event is held at more than 28,000 schools, with children who once skipped rope now the parents of those
taking part themselves
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
 At Riverside High, where it all began, a ceremony
recently was held to celebrate the milestone.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett proclaimed it
“Jump Rope For Heart Day” in Milwaukee, much
to the delight of a crowd that included a group
of Barkow’s former students, some of whom wore
their letter sweaters.
HOME OF JUMP ROPE FOR HEART 1978
Jean Barkow speaking
The following year, it generated $12.9 million through 1
million students and faculty at 6,000 schools
In Texas, American Heart Association executive Cass
Wheeler saw the event’s potential and convinced his team
to set a $1 million goal for the event in 1980. He then
managed an all-out effort in the schools that reached the
goal. About 80 percent of the organization held Jump
Rope For Heart events in 1980, raising $4 million in
roughly 3,000 schools across 39 states that year.
SPECIAL EVENT IN THE TRUEST SENSE
 The Jump-Rope-A-Thon is a
special event in the truest sense
of the word. It offers young
people the chance to work
toward physical fitness while
helping the heart fund. …
Hopefully, Riverside’s attempt in
this endeavor will prove worthy
enough to be tried nation wide in
the years to come.