Feb. 14, 2008 - The hallways and rooms at the Children’s Hospital of Albany Medical Center are a little brighter this Valentine’s Day, thanks to the generosity of Shaker Junior High School students.

Seventh and eighth-grade students in art teacher Mary O’Connell’s classes donated nearly 300 Valentine’s Day decorations to Improving Lives, a non-profit organization that motivates people of all ages to commit simple acts of kindness to help improve the quality of life for children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens in medical and high-need facilities.

“We hope this art work will offer well-wishes, cheer and comfort to children in the hospital,” said O’Connell.

O’Connell’s students made four hearts—two to decorate themselves and two to be decorated by each child in the hospital. The classes also discussed the organization’s mission and ways they can reach out to people in need—through art, music and other creative approaches—to enrich their quality of life.