LA PLATA, Md. -- Students at Theodore G. Davis Middle School recently donated more than $3,600 to the American Heart Association through its Hoops for Heart fundraiser campaign. Participants gave donations at the school and through the American Heart Association’s website as a part of February’s National Heart Health month.

Top donators included seventh graders Kalvin Mosley and Elisha Rolling, and sixth grader Anton Moore. Funds raised were presented to Lisa Baynes, the Maryland youth market director for the American Heart Association, on April 17.

Hoops for Heart teaches students about basketball skills, but also emphasizes the importance of exercise, heart health, nutrition and community involvement. Students set a fundraising goal and also create a website that parents and community members use to make online donations, and learn more about the program.

During the last four school years, Davis has coordinated a Hoops for Heart fundraiser, which is organized by the school’s physical education department. For more information about the Hoops for Heart fundraiser of the American Cancer Society, visit http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/.