Sent with love | Sierra Star

Oakhurst Elementary School students have been busy creating valentines since the end of January, not for each other, but for a very special group of kids.

This is the second year hundreds of handmade valentines will be delivered to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera by parent, Natalia Brooks, who spearheads the project.

“We look for opportunities for philanthropic projects so that the students can give back to the community and think beyond themselves,” Principal Kathy Murphy said.

Under guidance and instruction from teacher Christy Newell, the first-graders cut, glued, and wrote personalized messages, like “Get well,” “Happy Valentines Day,” and “You’re cool” (to go with the penguin theme).

Along with the valentines, students were eager to share a few penguin facts.

“They live in the southern hemisphere, swim 15-20 miles per hour, and spend 75% of their lives underwater.”

Sticking with the valentine message, a heart-to-heart evening, the school’s first ever spaghetti dinner fundraiser, will be held 5:30-7 p.m., tonight, Feb. 12, in the multi-purpose room.

Along with the meal, students will display their art work, with the theme of friendship.

Chef Marc Neff, husband of OES first-grade teacher, Jacqueline, will prepare the meal.

Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, are $10 for sixth-graders through adults; and $7 for children two years of age through fifth grade.