Student has big heart for giving

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 12, 2016

Contributed report

Hollis Hand Elementary student Addison Turner, far right, with teacher Kimberly Lundy and, from left, students Devin Dardy, Robert Franklin and Daniel Coffman work on tablet devices. Addison competed in the annual Jump Rope for Heart and raised enough money to win an iPad, which he gave to Lundy’s class.

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/05/web1_web0512Turner01.jpgHollis Hand Elementary student Addison Turner, far right, with teacher Kimberly Lundy and, from left, students Devin Dardy, Robert Franklin and Daniel Coffman work on tablet devices. Addison competed in the annual Jump Rope for Heart and raised enough money to win an iPad, which he gave to Lundy’s class.

Hollis Hand Elementary student Addison Turner gives an iPad he won to teacher Kimberly Lundy to use in her class for students with disabilities.

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/05/web1_web0512Turner02.jpgHollis Hand Elementary student Addison Turner gives an iPad he won to teacher Kimberly Lundy to use in her class for students with disabilities.

LaGRANGE — Addison Turner knows what it’s like to jump for something close to his heart.

During the annual Jump Rope for Heart donation drive at his school, Hollis Hand Elementary, the fourth grader beat his goal by $56. He says the reason he was so passionate about the effort is because he deals with a heart condition every day.

“I’m a heart patient myself,” said the 10 year old. “When we started the drive, my mom asked people at her work to give because I have a heart condition and this helps people with heart conditions. My goal was to raise $1,000, and I am glad I passed that.”

He raised enough money to win the grand prize of an iPad, but instead of keeping it for himself, he gifted the electronic device to Kimberly Lundy’s second- through fifth-grade students who have a variety of disabilities.

“When Addison gifted my students the iPad we were very excited,” Lundy said. “Now the students have another way of learning. Technology is so great and students with disabilities enjoy hands on learning with devices like an iPad.”

She has seen curriculum and learning methods change over the course of her 15-year career.

“We have a new curriculum that is accessed through the Internet, so the students have one more device they can use,” Lundy added. “Not only can they use the school computers, they can use the iPad to access curriculum and have a unique learning experience.

“Addison is very giving, and just knowing that he wants to raise money and give to others is amazing,” she added with a smile. “We are proud of him.”

From a press release submitted by Troup County School System. Submit your organization’s press release to editor Matthew Strother at mstrother@civitasmedia.com.