Wrenshall fifth-grader Steven Alexander is a champ in his own right.
Alexander, 11, the son of Jacky Alexander, raised $1,045 for the American Heart Association's "Jump Rope for Heart" event this spring - more than any other student at Wrenshall School.
"Jump Rope For Heart" is an event that promotes the value of physical activity to elementary school children while showing them they can contribute to their community's welfare. By jumping rope and securing sponsors, students in grades two through six raise money for the fight against heart disease and stroke while learning about the value of physical fitness.
Alexander's stellar fund-raising effort outdistanced many of the other students in the state and placed him among the top 30 "Jump Rope for Heart" participants in Minnesota. In fact, he placed third overall.
Along with the satisfaction of knowing he's made a worthwhile contribution to heart research and patient services, Alexander also received a trip to the Minnesota Timberwolves game on April 13 for his outstanding accomplishment. Not only did he get a free ticket for the game, but he also earned the right to sit on the bench during warmups and stand in the players' tunnel before the game and during half time.
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Among Alexander's highlights while attending the Timberwolves game was the chance to meet star center/forward Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen and Timberwolves mascot, "Crunch."
This is the second year in a row that Alexander has ranked in the top 30 fund raisers in the state and earned a trip to the Timberwolves game. Last year, he raised $720 for the "Jump Rope for Heart" event.
The Wrenshall student has participated in "Jump Rope for Heart" for the past four years, ever since he was in second grade. He starts raising and saving money for the next year's event as soon as the current year's event is over.
Alexander said he raises money primarily by working for his grandparents, feeding animals, doing yard cleanup, working in their apple orchard and gathering firewood.
"During the event itself," he said, "I jump in honor of my Grandma Mattson who has a pacemaker, and in memory of my Grandpa Dale Phelps who passed away two years ago from heart problems."
Not one to rest on his laurels, Alexander is already working to raise funds for next year's "Jump Rope for Heart" event - and he said his goal is to reach "the big $2,000!"
Pine Journal Publisher/reporter Wendy Johnson can be reached at: wjohnson@pinejournal.com .
