PINEHURST — Principal Mike Groves took the safe bet — that proved to be a mistake.

For the last 20 years, students at Pinehurst Elementary School have participated in the Kid’s Heart Challenge, formerly known as Jump Rope For Hope, and this year physical education teacher Callie Hegbloom set her school’s goal at $2,000.

Groves was a little skeptical, as the school had averaged about $1,800 over the last few years and with COVID, it was bound to be more difficult.

But Hegbloom had an ace of an idea in her back pocket and the kids delivered.

“Callie came up with the ‘brilliant idea’ that we should offer the kids to be able to pie her and I in the face if they raised $2,000,” Groves said. “Her direct quote I think was, ‘we don't raise that much in non-COVID years, so you have nothing to worry about.’ I believe the picture will show otherwise. We got the kids in the gym, followed COVID protocols, drew two names and then paid our debt.”

The funds raised go to the American Heart Association to help them continue their mission to build awareness around cardiac health.

Hegbloom herself was pretty surprised by the response from her students and banked on the idea that not holding a kickoff assembly or having a student information booth would keep interest lower than normal, but between herself and the other staff at PES, the fundraiser was a hit.

“It took some begging to get Mike on board with the pie idea at first, but being the awesome principal he is, he agreed and made the event hilarious and fun,” Hegbloom said. “We were able to make it our first in-person assembly of the year, under 15 minutes with masks and social distancing of cohorts. I think I still have some whip cream left in my hair, but it was worth it to see how happy the kids were.”

Hegbloom uses the fundraiser as part of her regular February curriculum, during National Heart Month.

She focuses on heart health, as well as explaining the ways that the American Heart Association uses the funds for outreach and education.