Lisa Hayes came on board the Pike County Heart Association board because she was asked.

She has stayed because heart disease has become a very personal issue in her life.

Her mom has heart disease and her granddad is also affected by the disease.

And, then, there are so many she knows whose lives have been altered by heart disease or lost to it.

Hayes wants to do what she can to help.

So, every year, she involves her physical education students at Goshen Elementary School in awareness activities and fundraising events aimed as reducing the incidents of heart disease and stroke.

“At Goshen Elementary School, I have every student in grades kindergarten through sixth grade in class every day so I have an opportunity to talk to them about ways to prevent heart disease,” Hayes said.

“They learn at an age how important their lifestyle and eating habits are to a healthy heart.

And, they learn that dollars are needed to fund research that saves lives, so they are willing and eager to raise money for the American Heart Association through the Pike County Heart Association’s Heart Walk.”

“Every year, we have a Shoot for the Cure basketball shoot. The students pay a dollar to shoot. It’s a one-day event and we give prizes to the winners.”

Each student who donates a dollar to the Shoot for the Cure fundraiser will have his or her name on a heart and placed on a bulletin board at the school.

“The students are always willing and enthusiastic. They love competition and they love anything that has to do with ball,” Hayes said.

The dollars raised by Shoot for the Cure are important but even more important is the opportunity for young people to become involved in a worthwhile cause.

“Our students need to be involved in the community,” Hayes said.

“Heart disease has a far reaching effect and Goshen is a close-knit community, like family. Here, in Pike County, we are one so everyone has been or will be affected by heart disease in some way. By participating in Shoot for a Cure, we are helping each other.”

Hayes’ “kids” recently participated in a basketball fundraiser for the local Red Cross but that didn’t diminish their enthusiasm when they were asked to dig into their pockets again for a dollar for Shoot for a Cure.”

“They were more than willing,” Hayes said.

“They will also participate in Jump Rope for Heart.

We will participate in Relay for Life and are looking for some way to support the diabetes foundation because a lot of children are affected by that disease.

“It’s so important to be involved in events that help our friends and neighbors. The students at Goshen Elementary School are involved.”