Heartists at Work

Students at Cedar Hill Elementary in Towaco, N.J., teamed up with Hearts of Hope, a New Jersey nonprofit program that distributes small keepsake ceramic hearts. The hearts are decorated and delivered to patients in hospitals and cancer centers, bereaved family members, and men and women in the military. Here’s how it worked: Parents contributed $3, which covers the cost of the heart, the paint, and the gift packaging. Over two days in class, students were given 30 minutes to decorate their ceramic hearts and write their gift cards; they painted uplifting designs including rainbows, butterflies, peace signs, and hearts, and wrote their names and a brief introduction about themselves along with a caring message to each recipient.