Grand Blanc students take on heart warming project - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(03/01/13) - It started as a way to celebrate their 100th day of school.

Reid Elementary School teacher Andrea Wilkerson wanted something different and something interactive that would have a positive impact on the community.  

"It was called the '100 Warm Hearts Project,'" Wilkerson explained Friday. She teaches a split class - first and second grade.

Wilkerson had her students decorate 100 tiles. They numbered them 1 - 100. They added instructions on the back telling whomever found it what to do next.

"Send an email with the number of the tile, where they found it and something that warms their heart," Wilkerson said. "Then we put, 'It would also warm our hearts if you'd also send a picture.'"

Wilkerson dropped them at businesses all around the Grand Blanc area the Wednesday before Valentine's Day.

"I didn't do any credit unions or schools," Wilkerson said. "We don't want to be on the news because a suspicious package was found," she joked.

One was left at Big Apple Bagels.

"And we got busy and didn't really read the back," Co-Owner Kathryn Greene said. "Thought someone must of lost it or something."

Greene says her sister, and business partner, saw the students' story online and now they know what they're supposed to do with it. 

"I think it's great," Greene said.

Greene said they take a picture, post it and pass the tile on soon.

"About 42 have been found now," Wilkerson said. 

The students are anxiously waiting for the others to be found and documented.

Wilkerson created a blog so the kids can track the tiles. They check it once a day in class.

You can check the blog HERE.

First grader Emily Zito says all but one of the five she made have been found.

The project has exceeded Wilkerson's expectations.

The kids?

Well, they summed it all up when we asked what they like about it.

"It'll make everyone happy," Emily said.