Demopolis Middle School will hold its annual Hoops for Heart event Friday, March 30 as students do their part to help the American Heart Association (AHA).

The event, which started in 1998, focuses on raising awareness of heart disease and stroke to young people while simultaneously raising funds for the AHA.

“It is community awareness about heart disease and stroke,” event organizer and DMS coach and physical education teacher Jesse Bell said. “We’ve had kids go out to raise funds. They have gone out to raise donations.”

Bell indicated he and fellow organizers are hoping to arrange a trip to an Atlanta Hawks game as a reward for the students who raise the most money.

All students who participate in the program will be sent to the DMS gym Friday where they will participate in a number of events throughout the day.

“We do three-on-three, free throw shooting, a three-point shootout, a lot of activity,” Bell said.

As the date of the event draws nearer, Bell is hopeful the school can surpass the impressive amount of money it raised in 2011.

“Last year we raised $8,000. This year, our goal is to raise $9,000,” Bell said. “We greatly appreciate the community’s contributions from last year and we need their help and support to fight heart disease and stroke.”

The event is scheduled to culminate beginning at 9 a.m. Friday.