Last year, fifth graders at Hansen Elementary School were eager to make hearts for South Shore Habitat for Humanity.

Well, this year's crop of fifth graders is no different as they are ready spread the love once again.

Each year, fifth grade students at the Hansen School participate in the heart project fundraiser, where students make and decorate paper hearts from construction paper. The finished products are sold within the school prior to Valentine's Day. The funds raised are then donated to a particular cause. The hearts, which go for 50 cents apiece, will be on sale from Feb. 5 to Feb. 12.

"My goal is to get them thinking outside themselves," said School Nurse Susan Rock, who organizes the fundraising project, which has helped raise money for the senior center, fire department, police department and the public library in recent years. Last year, the Hansen School raised $750, which was considerable as the fundraiser typically yields between $500 and $600, Rock said.

Typically, the school donates its proceeds to a different cause or entity each year, but Rock and company decided that Habitat for Humanity could use their help a second time around. After February vacation, the students will invite Habitat for Humanity back to the school to present the organization with their earnings.

"This is great support," said Denise Lochiatto, outreach coordinator for the local Habitat committee. "We're very excited. Their first fundraiser was a great success."

The South Shore Habitat for Humanity is an independent, non-profit organization that works to provide families of low-income with homes, entirely through its own fundraising, volunteer recruitment and publicity. Habitat received approval to build three homes in Stoughton. Since the South Shore Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1986, they have completed 45 homes in 18 communities. Habitat builds homes strictly through volunteer work.

To begin construction on its first home, Habitat must raise $70,000. It has raised more than $60,000 so far. The total cost of the homes will be about $135,000 each, said Pat Galvin, Chairwoman of the local Habitat partnership committee.

More than 40 students gathered at the school to meet with Habitat for Humanity volunteers Tuesday to learn more about the organization.

"We do what we do so we can help a family in Stoughton have a home," Galvin said. "You kind of gave us the push to say we can do this."

Read the complete article in the Stoughton Journal.