Students step up for Project Valentine

Armed with little more than glue and scissors, art students from Carson High School prepared for the challenge -- Project Valentine.

The mission: to create Valentine's Day cards for senior citizens throughout Carson City.

Raquel Rodriguez, 16, rallied to the cause.

"I thought it was a really good way to contribute to the community," she said. "It's a good way to give back to them because because they gave a lot to our community before we were even born."

Jane Oling-Greenard's students made 250 valentines to contribute to the project, which was developed through Northern Nevada Family Magazine last year.

Publisher Darcy Otranto spearheaded the project.

"Valentine's Day is sometimes forgotten with the senior citizens," she said. "I think it will really brighten their day when they get a homemade valentine."

Students in classrooms throughout Carson City schools will be cutting out paper hearts and sprinkling glitter for the cause.

But individual families also can get involved.

Mitch Liljenquist, 15, made a valentine in art class and encouraged others to support the project.

"It will make them feel happy," he said. "Maybe it will bring some cheeriness into their lives."

Otranto hopes to receive 980 cards to distribute in Carson City. The project has been expanded to include Washoe, Lyon and Douglas counties.

Completed valentines should be dropped off at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada by Friday.

And from service grows more service.

"I went home and made cards," said Emma Jaquette, 15.

Otranto is dedicating this drive to her grandmother who died in October.

YOU CAN HELP

What: Participate in Project Valentine

How: Drop off homemade valentines

Where: Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St.

When: by Friday