He’s only in kindergarten, but Kenosha’s Greyson Rigney is already making a huge difference. And those efforts landed the youngster as an American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge All-Star as a top fund raiser for the 2024-25 school year.
The desire to help people spurred Greyson, the son of Tyler Rigney and Rachael Rigney, both of Kenosha, and a student at Harvey Elementary School, also in Kenosha, to join the Association’s program as a 4K student a year ago, his mom said.
“Greyson’s favorite thing is helping people,” Rachael said. “It is his biggest passion in life. His great-grandpa, Bob, passed away (in 2023) from a heart attack. He also has a great-grandmother, Louise, and a grandfather, Doug, who struggle with health issues related to their hearts. He wanted to help raise money for ‘people with sick hearts like Grandpa Bob.’”
Rachael added that Greyson’s older sister, Skylar, has been a KHC participant for several years and also has been one of the school’s top fund raisers.
“So, he has seen the excitement that revolves around fundraising and getting donations, and he was very excited to be able to finally participate,” she said.
For nearly 50 years, the American Heart Association has been working with educators in elementary, middle and high schools across the nation to help educate students about healthy living.
About the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge
The Kids Heart Challenge is a service-learning-based fundraising program that gives students the opportunity to feel good while doing good. It’s a way for students to better their life — all while changing someone else’s. Students, families, and staff also learn valuable life skills, including how to make smart food choices, the importance of avoiding vaping/tobacco, and the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR.
Kids Heart Challenge engages elementary school students and their families to learn how to keep their heart, body, and brain healthy — while helping kids with special hearts live longer, healthier lives. It’s a fun and meaningful way to teach lifelong habits of health and helping others.
Funds raised through the KHC enable students to support community wellness and be part of the solution by funding research to improve cardiovascular health for all.
“We’re so thankful for the efforts of all our Kids Heart Challenge participants and volunteers every year,” Wisconsin American Heart Association Senior Development Director for School Engagement Lisa Schweitzer said. “Their passion, their excitement and their willingness to continuously drive our mission forward is just so inspiring. We obviously couldn’t do it without all of them.”
For more information about the Kids Heart Challenge, visit www.heart.org/getstarted.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
