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Holy Family Catholic Academy and ELC awarded National Kids Heart Challenge Grant

August 25, 2020

$1,770 from the American Heart Association to be used for PE Equipment and Athletic Gear

Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center has been awarded a national Kids Heart Challenge grant in the amount of $1,770. These funds will be used to purchase brand new PE equipment and athletic gear for students and student athletes including 2 pull-up bars, 20 basketballs, 2 basketball hoops, 20 volleyballs, 20 soccer balls, 4 soccer goals, 20 footballs, 24 scooter boards and brand new jerseys for both the boys and girls basketball and volleyball teams. 

The American Heart Association received a total of 864 grant applications nationwide. Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center was one of only 3 schools in the state of Hawai'i to be awarded a grant. The Kids Heart Challenge grant program was developed to allow schools to implement a variety of wellness activities, with additions such as physical activity equipment and resources, that would impact their school and community's health and well-being. 

The American Heart Association held their virtual National Awards Ceremony on Thursday, August 13th. This morning, all faculty, staff and students at Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center participated in a virtual Awards Ceremony where Principal Celeste Akiu, Coach Darwin Nazarino, Coach Ed Gelacio and Nick Merklin, Director of the Youth Market for the American Heart Association, announced that they were awarded a national Kids Heart Challenge grant. "We are very blessed to receive this grant. This money will help our PE and athletic programs with newer equipment that will help engage our students to learn how to be fit for life!," stated HFCA coach Darwin Nazarino.

This past January, Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center raised over $12,000 for the American Heart Association through its Kids Heart Challenge fundraising event (photos attached). Over the years, Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center has raised $205,655 for the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association thanked Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center for their time, effort and passion in supporting their mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. 

Despite having to cancel events in March and April due to the pandemic, 191 schools in the state of Hawai'i participated in the Kids Heart Challenge (elementary school) and American Heart Challenge (middle and high school) this past year, raising over $600,000 for the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association works with over 32,000 schools in its nationwide movement  to finally and forever change the course of heart disease, stroke and congenital heart defects.

Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center is a co-ed, parochial, private school for students in preschool through 8th grade. Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center is located off Nimitz Highway, near the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. This school year, Holy Family Catholic Academy is offering two learning options:  an In-Person, On-Campus Program and a Virtual Learning Program. Holy Family Catholic Academy offers both Before and After-School Care Programs starting at 6:00am and ending at 5:30pm each school day. Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center accepts applications and enrolls new students year-round, based on space availability.