Arlee teachers lose bet for good cause
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Physical education teacher Shawn Orr sat in a lawn chair beside a campfire outside of the Arlee Elementary School. Usually Orr was home by now, but tonight he was spending the night mere feet from work.
As the last rays of the warm evening light disappeared, some grade school students joined Orr and fellow physical education teacher Susan Carney, as they roasted marshmallows.
Orr and Carney lost a bet to K-6th graders who participated in the American Heart Association’s fundraiser Jump Rope for Heart. The students set a goal to raise $2,011 for the association. Their P.E. teachers bet them they couldn’t exceed the goal and if they did, offered to spend a night on the school’s playground. Students ended up collecting $2,600.
Making good on their bet, Orr and Carney prepared for a long night without the comforts of home, sleeping in a tipi and tent.
“I love being outside and sitting beside a fire,” Orr said. “The bad thing is I have my iPod with six movies on it,” he added with a laugh about home entertainment he brought with him.
Jump Rope for Heart is a fundraising effort that teaches children about the importance of physical education and provides them with information about heart disease and strokes. Children collect pledges from sponsors and jump rope for the money.
Since 1999 Arlee Schools have participated in Jump Rope for Heart, contributing a total of $30,310 to the American Heart Association. Last year they raised $1,800.
“Arlee stands out as one of the more supportive and consistent schools in Montana that participate in Jump Rope for Heart,” American Heart Association youth market director Paula Baker said. In Montana, a total of 191 schools participated in fundraising events like Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart, which incorporates basketball, during the 2010-11 school year.
According to Baker, the money raised goes to heart disease research centers in Bozeman, Great Falls and Missoula.
“They are the cure for heart disease,” Baker said of fundraising students.
Kindergartner Emma Ries was honored as this year’s top contributor with $365. Ries was awarded an ambassador pin and medal from the American Heart Association and $50 cash from the Arlee School for her efforts. She collected most of her donations online. Three years ago Arlee established a website so out-of-state family and friends could donate.
Fundraising efforts were also enhanced by Carney and Orr’s offer to spend a night camped outside the school.
“I’ve had pies thrown in my face and I’ve even offered to eat chocolate covered grasshoppers. But them making me sleep overnight, they just really went for it,” Carney said.
Having forgotten her brush, Carney admitted she had messy hair during her morning class. She also admitted to jumping inside her truck to warm up during the middle of the night.
“I was frozen in the morning,” Carney said. “But it was well worth it.”
