Wareham kids are staying heart healthy and raising a ton of money in the process.

John W. Decas and Minot Forest elementary schools have been busy raising more than $12,000 for the American Heart Association this winter.

Decas Elementary raised $6,445 from hosting a hula-hooping event called Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart in January and February.

Minot Forest Elementary jumped all over heart disease and stroke during the school’s own Jump Rope for Heart event on March 15 where students raised $6,000.

“This year’s event was a huge success,” said Deanna Semple, Jump Rope for Heart coordinator at Minot Forest. “We’re very proud of all the jumpers and we had a lot of fun.”

Minot Forest has raised more than $100,000 in the years it has hosted Jump Rope for Heart. Retired physical education teacher John Clark brought the event to the school many years ago and continues to volunteer each year.