Two Mars Area School District elementary schools collected $22,823.77 to benefit the American Heart Association as part of a Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser, held Feb. 1-26.

Students at Mars Area Centennial School (5-6) raised $5,792.13 and Mars Area Primary Center students brought in $17,031.64. Both schools exceeded their initial fundraising goals.

In addition to collecting donations throughout the fundraiser, students learned about proper heart health and joined in various activities such as jump rope and cardio drumming. In the last few weeks of the fundraiser, parents were invited to join in physical education classes via Zoom to experience firsthand what the student have learned.

For more information, call (724) 625-2601.