Each year, third grade students at Hickory Elementary School learn about economics in social studies by participating in a fundraiser where they design, produce and advertise Happy Grams, which are Valentine's notes to raise money for a charitable organization.
The Humane Society of Harford County was this year's beneficiary of a $1,200 donation, according to a Harford County Public Schools news release.
Students and staff in the school purchase and personalize the Happy Grams for family and friends. Parent volunteers sell the Happy Grams for 25 cents each or five for $1 the week before Valentine's Day. Students deliver the Happy Grams throughout the school for Valentine's Day. In addition, students research different charities as options for donating the proceeds.
Students also write persuasive essays to convince the other students to pick their charity, and then a vote is held to make the final decision.
This year's finalists, according to the news release, were St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and The Humane Society of Harford County.
The majority of third grade students voted for The Humane Society, which is trying to raise money to pay for their new animal shelter under construction.
With this year's Happy Grams sale the students raised $770 and, when combined with money remaining from previous years, they were able to donate $1,200 to The Humane Society.