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For
release Jan. 9, 2006
‘Ski
and Snowshoe For Young Hearts’ fundraiser
Fifth Annual event slated for Saturday, Feb. 4,
at Maple Lane Archery and Ski Center in Skandia
Printable
Entry Form >> Click
Here
Plans are
in the works for the Fifth Annual “Ski
and Snowshoe for Young Hearts” fund-raiser in Marquette
County. And, like the first four fund-raisers, Marquette County
schools will be the direct beneficiaries of heart health education
monitors and education.
The ski and snowshoe event will be held from 8:30 to noon on Saturday,
Feb. 4, at Maple Lane Archery and Ski Center in Skandia. The event,
geared for skiers and snowshoers of all ages, is specifically
designed to address the educational needs of youth in Marquette
County.
The Upper Michigan
Heart Institute at Marquette General Health System, Bell Hospital
and Upper Michigan Cardiovascular Associates are sponsoring the
event. The Mining Journal, WLUC-TV 6 and WKQS-FM (Sunny 102) are
media sponsors.
Money raised from the event will be used to purchase heart monitors
for local schools in an effort to educate youth about the importance
of regular exercise and a healthful diet.
Participating individual schools can also benefit monetarily.
Through pledges, schools will be awarded half of the money they
raise to purchase physical education equipment. For example, if
a school raises $500 for Ski and Snowshoe For Young Hearts, it
will receive $250 to purchase PE equipment.
“The monitors enable students to learn about appropriate
exercise and its effect on heart health,” said event chairperson
Julie Higbie, RN, MSN, director of cardiac rehabilitation at Marquette
General. “Our goal for the outset has been to equip one
or two local schools each year with heart monitors until each
school has them. This is an excellent way to promote healthy lifestyles
in our younger population.
“Schools can also raise money to help equip their PE departments
with new equipment, from basketballs to jump ropes. We see this
as a great way for schools to raise money and have fun doing it.”
Last year, more than $6,000 was raised at the event. With the
proceeds, Big Bay and Gwinn Middle Schools received heart monitors.
Previously, Fr. Marquette Middle School, Gwinn Middle School,
Phelps Middle School, Aspen Ridge Middle School and Bothwell Middle
School were recipients of the heart monitors.
Heart monitors will be available for skiers and snowshoers to
wear while skiing or snowshoeing. The monitors provide a printout
of the racers’ heart rates to demonstrate the importance
of measuring what happens to heart rates during exercise.
Registration will be held the day of the event from 8:30 to 11
a.m., with skiing and snowshoeing scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to
noon.
The day-of-race registration fee is $10. Skiers collecting donations
of $35 or more will be awarded a T-shirt and will be eligible
for prizes.
Trophies will be awarded in various categories. Prizes will also
be given for the most kilometers skied in male and female divisions,
and to those who raise the most money.
A number of door prizes will also be awarded.
Skiers and snowshoers interested in collecting donations and participating
may obtain registration sheets by calling 906-225-4942 or by printing
them off Click
Here.
School districts interested in the heart monitors and computers
are encouraged to call Higbie for more information at 906-225-4749.
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