ST. PAUL, MN, December 9, 2022 - Jace Fellon, a fifth-grade student at St. Paul Academy and Summit School, received an award last month for his fundraising efforts supporting the mission of the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all. Of more than 10 million students nationwide who engaged with Kids Heart Challenge during the 2021-2022 school year, Fellon was the top fundraiser, collecting a total of $20,531.

When asked about his enthusiasm for Kids Heart Challenge, Fellon shared that he participates in honor of his grandmother, Jane, and says that he likes to help others. 

The American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge™ offers a variety of physical activities to get elementary students’ hearts pumping such as dance, basketball or jumping rope paired with digital missions to learn life-saving skills like Hands-Only CPR. The program has more than 40 years of proven success rooted in scientific research, which shows that kids who are regularly active feel better, improve their mental health, build self-esteem, and decrease and prevent conditions such as anxiety and depression.1

Funds raised through Kids Heart Challenge support the American Heart Association’s scientific research and outreach programs, paving the way for improved health outcomes for healthier communities.

At the awards ceremony, the Association also recognized St. Paul Academy and Summit School as the top fundraising school for Kids Heart Challenge in Minnesota for 2021-2022, raising a total of $47,827. Physical education teachers Robert Pottle and Stephanie Bergholtz were also honored for leading the program at the school and engaging more than 150 students.

“The Kids Heart Challenge benefits our students in a variety of ways,” says Bergholtz. “First and foremost, it builds a foundation for better health by teaching students how to create healthy habits at school and at home, while also teaching students the importance of helping others. In addition, the fundraising element empowers students to make a significant impact on our community. With Jace, you can see by all his efforts that he enjoys helping his community and making a positive difference.”

The educational curriculum and physical activities included in the Kids Heart Challenge program, a successful part of thousands of schools from coast-to-coast, targets improving whole-body wellness, which is vital to driving immediate and long-term health in children.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans1 only 20% of kids get enough activity to meet physical activity recommendations. In addition to improved physical health, the benefits of physical activity for children include better grades, school attendance and classroom behavior.

To learn more about the Kids Heart Challenge or to enroll your school to participate, visit heart.org/khc.

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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.  

For Media Inquiries:
Lisa Cole: Lisa.Cole@heart.org
heart.org and stroke.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org


[1] Department of Health and Human Services, 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx