Kindergartner helps students raise $8,300 for Heart

Kelcy Dolan

Posted 5/5/15

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Kindergartner helps students raise $8,300 for Heart

RYAN SANTO

Warwick Beacon photos

BUILDING NEW HEARTS: Pictured from left to right are Donna Tringali, a representative from the American Heart Association, Catherine Quinn Cedar Hill’s Physical Education Teacher, Vanessa Santo, Ryan’s little sister, Elizabeth Santo, Ryan’s mother, Ryan Santo and Dr. Colleen Mercurio, Cedar Hill’s principal. Ryan’s mother explained that the young kindergartener thought he was helping to build new hearts by jumping rope for the American Heart Association’s event.

Posted Tuesday, May 5, 2015 12:13 pm

Kelcy Dolan

Cedar Hill Elementary School has some impressive kindergarteners. At the recent Jump Rope for Heart event kindergarteners raised more than $3,000 for the American Heart Association. The entire school raised more than $8,300, which broke the school’s record by doubling their last effort. Cedar Hill raised enough to be recognized by the association.

Donna Tringali, a representative from the American Heart Association, visited the school to present Cedar Hill with a plaque for all of their hard work. She said that the students’ hard work is “invaluable” and by being physically active and living heart healthy lifestyles they are role models for everyone else.

Tringali told the students how the money raised would go to helping doctors work on new treatments to keep “people healthy and make the sick better.”

“Everything you did is going to help us save lives and help educate people on being healthy. I can’t think of a greater gift than to help save lives,” she said.

Several students were asked to stand up during the ceremony for raising incredible amounts. About 20 students raised more than $100. Others raised anywhere from $200 to $500.

One student in particular, a kindergartener, got special recognition from the American Heart Association for raising $1,090. Ryan Santo was given the Heart Hero Award for all of his efforts. With a smile and a quiet thank you, he accepted the plaque from Tringali.

Ryan’s mother, Elizabeth Santo, said Ryan has always been active and into sports. He wrestles for Warwick PAL and even finished a 5k with his parents. She explained that they have a family friend with a heart condition and when she talked to Ryan about the fundraiser and how it would help people like their friend he was dedicated to helping.

With the help of his mother, Ryan used social media to show short clips of him doing physical activities and thanking people for their help.

“He’s learning to be healthy and loving it,” Elizabeth said. “He thought that when he was jumping he was helping to build new hearts for everyone who needed them.”