Arlington Heights second graders send their hearts to Haiti

For 25 second grade girls from Arlington Heights, Valentine's Day this year was about more than candy and flowers.

Much more. The girls sent 60 care kits - and their hearts - to needy Congolese and Haitian children.

The students from Olive-Mary Stitt Elementary School and their mothers collected and packed 60 care kits. Each kit contains a hand towel, tube of toothpaste, a toothbrush, a bar of soap, a notebook, two pens, two pencils, a pencil sharpener, four balloons and a homemade valentine. The girls also raised the $300 needed to ship the kits to both locations.

"The girls had a great time, and we were so proud of their desire to help other kids like themselves," said Shannon Kersemeir, whose daughter Hannah is in the class.