VIDALIA &8212; Vidalia Upper Elementary fourth-grader Lauren Dungan knows why raising money for the American Heart Association is so important.

Her 5-year-old brother has already had more than one heart surgery.

&8220;When he was little they had to cut him open and put IVs in his arm,&8221; she said. &8220;A lot of people I know have been raising money.&8221;

Her whole school has, in fact. VUES has been participating in the Hoops for Heart and Jump Rope for Heart sponsorship drive since the week before Thanksgiving.

Students asked friends, family and neighbors for money, which will go to AHA for education and research on heart related diseases.

This year was the first time in three years the school participated in the fundraiser, physical education teacher Irene Young said. And they more than doubled their previous totals.

Money is still coming in, but Young said the total was already over $4,000, and approaching $4,500.

The fundraiser culminated Tuesday with the hoops and jumping rope in PE class. The students who raised money spent their PE class period playing a variety of basketball and jump rope games for prizes.

Those who raised the most will also get prizes from AHA, but they can choose not to accept the prize, donating it also.

Fourth-grader Stewart Mallory raised $85.

&8220;I went and asked most of my family members, and they said they wanted to support me,&8221; he said. &8220;We get prizes, but I didn&8217;t do it for the prizes.&8221;

Joshua Aldridge said he didn&8217;t mind working for a good cause.

&8220;We are trying to raise as much as we can,&8221; he said. &8220;To give to the people that have heart problems.&8221;

Students could jump or shoot in honor or memory of a friend or family member who had heart problems.