Students dunk, dribble and score to assist with a cause close to the heart

Feb 15, 2018

Middle schoolers got their hearts racing and blood pumping before February vacation by playing basketball to raise money for the American Heart Association.

Hoops for Heart, in its fifth year at Wareham Middle School, gets kids active and helps raise funds for heart disease research. Students first attended an assembly on heart health, causes of heart disease and how donations can help fund research. Thursday and Friday were an opportunity for them to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association and to get active themselves.

The main goal was to raise $2,500, but students also got lessons on heart health, said Wareham Middle School physical education teacher Nichole Stahmer.

“We want them to remember heart health connected to something positive in their life,” Stahmer said.

Every student in the middle school got to go to the gym and play basketball games including, H.O.R.S.E., knock-out and a participate in a vertical jump contest.

“It ends things on a positive note before vacation to hopefully have everyone on their best behavior these last couple days,” Stahmer said.

Brendon Tremblay, a 10-year-old Wareham Middle School student, raised $80 for the American Heart Association with the help of his family members. Tremblay said the cause is important to him.

“Heart disease is a big problem and I want to help cure it,” Tremblay said. “And basketball is my favorite sport.”

Click here for more information on the American Heart Association.