Elementary students in the North Allegheny School District spent the last couple months jumping for the hills.

To help North Hills Community Outreach, that is.

Students of NA’s seven elementary schools raised a grand total of $63,053 in a jump rope challenge benefiting the North Hills Community Outreach.

This is the third year students raised funds for NHCO through their annual Jump for the Hills event, according to Dean Boronyak, the ​Health and Physical Education Department facilitator and a teacher at Ingomar Elementary.

Boronyak leads the charge for the fundraiser with the help of the PE teachers at each school.

The event was held at various times between January and March at each elementary school, with students participating in jump rope activities during their health and physical education classes.

The students and staff look forward to the event every year as it promotes physical activity, community service, support and awareness for NHCO’s mission of helping neighbors in need, Boronyak said. The Pirate Parrot helped PE teachers make a motivational video this year to promote the fundraiser.

NHCO, with offices in Allison Park, Millvale and north Pittsburgh, assists needy families and individuals from communities in northern Allegheny County.

Their services include food pantries and an organic garden, utility assistance, employment mentoring and free tax preparation.

The organization also provides emergency financial help, education assistance, assistance for senior citizens, legal consultation, utility assistance and more.

Last year, NA’s Jump for the Hills raised more than $46,000 for NHCO. This year students achieved the highest total yet, according to Erica Cochran, director of development for NHCO.

“This fundraiser is so meaningful for North Hills Community Outreach. These fantastic students raise funds that go directly back into their communities and are learning along the way. We are thankful to the physical education and health teachers within these schools for introducing our organization and explaining the services we provide to these students at a young age,” Cochran said.

She said programs like this help reduce the stigma that surrounds families facing hardship, crisis, and poverty.

“Every year we are blown away by the amount that is raised within the North Allegheny School District, and we want all of the students and families who have supported this fundraiser for the past three years to know just how impactful the amount raised is for NHCO and how many local families they are helping with food, utilities, rent and transportation among other things,” Cochran said.

Children were allowed to participate in jump rope activities whether or not they donated. Prizes were awarded, though, if students hit certain fundraising levels.

Peebles Elementary on Peebles Road won a drawing to get a surprise visit from the Pirate Parrot.

Each school offered various incentives for students and friendly challenges, Boronyak said.

McKnight Elementary in McCandless had various prize levels. Third-place classes let students pick what they wanted to do for PE class on a given day. Second place earned an extra PE class and the first place class will play dodgeball versus teachers later this school year.

The top 20 earners at McKnight elected to turn Principal Dr. Christopher Shute and McKnight Physical Education Teacher Patrick Frank into toilet paper mummies, which happened in early April.

Jump for the Hills previously benefited the American Heart Association, but Boronyak said students and staff enjoy supporting a local charity. In addition to teaching students how to jump rope and stay physically fit, it’s mostly about how to help others in need, he said.

“It’s amazing how generous everyone is,” said Boronyak, of Mars.

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