Whiz Kid: Meet Jaren Coleman

Eleven-year-old Jaren Coleman raised a total of $765 for Afton Elementary School's Hoop for Hearts fundraiser. That was good enough to earn him top stop for his efforts.

Hoops for Heart isn’t just another fund raiser for Jaren. He nearly needed the program's help for himself because he was born with Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), which is a condition where the heart valve essential to fetal blood circulation doesn’t close properly after birth. Shortly after one failed surgery, Jaren’s heart healed itself and will not require further surgery.

Jaren said that he felt happy raising the money for other children who need the help and can't afford it. For his efforts, Jaren received a Hoops for Heart basketball, which he said he is very proud of, but the ball probably won’t see any actual playing time.

Two of Jaren’s friends were also helped by his fund raising efforts. Jaren's baseball teammate is hearing impaired so Jaren participates in fundraising for that effort. Jaren also helps his closest friend who has Leukemia raise money by riding in a Bike-A-Thon.

Jaren’s mom Valerie said that he loves to play all sports, but is especially fond of baseball and basketball and would play sports all day if allowed. When Jaren’s not playing sports or raising money, he plays the clarinet to challenge himself musically.