Brawner Intermediate students raised $5,500 for the American Heart Association through Hoops for Heart and Jump Rope for Heart.  The students chose to dedicate the donations in memory of Monty Been, a local resident who passed away earlier this school year from a heart attack.

On March 8, 2011, a presentation was made at the school’s morning assembly with Been’s family - daughter Kelby, a Brawner fourth grader, and wife Kelly, a Crossland Ninth Grade Center math teacher. 

The association’s two youth programs engage elementary and middle school students with jumping rope and playing basketball while empowering them to improve their own health and help other kids with heart-health issues.

Both fund critical research and educational programs that fight heart disease and stroke and involve the entire school in community service.

According to the association, regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence improves strength and endurance, reduces anxiety and stress, helps control weight, builds healthy bones and muscles, and increases self-esteem. Young people can build healthy bodies and establish healthy lifestyles well into adulthood by including physical activity in their daily lives.