Kaari poses for a picture with her Valentine’s Day box created by Jackson Middle School seventh-grader Orion Evans for Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

PARKERSBURG – Jackson Middle School students were feeling the love last week as they designed and created Valentine’s Day boxes for younger children at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center. Bios of each kid from the daycare were sent to students at Jackson where they then adopted an individual kid and were challenged to create an innovative Valentine’s Day box that could be used. Students created boxes with functioning drawers, lights and games built into them.

“It’s such a fun experience,” teacher Cherish Stavrakis said. “I always have more students wishing to help than are needed.”

Samantha Ash, owner of Olivia and Friends Child Care and Development Center, said the boxes were delivered on Thursday and that this was the fifth year of working with Stavrakis to make them.

“It has truly become one of my favorite traditions of the year,” Ash said.

She said what makes it special is the connection between the middle school students and their younger peers. She said the older students get to tap back into being a kid again and pour their creativity into something meaningful, and it has a tremendous impact on the younger kids when they receive their boxes.

Photo provided Fiadh holds up a pack of fruit snacks she received in her Bluey inspired Valentine’s Day box created by Jackson Middle School seventh-graders for Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

“When they see their box for the first time, their jaws literally drop,” Ash said. “They feel seen. They feel special. Many of them keep their boxes long after Valentine’s Day is over. It’s such a boost to their self-esteem to know someone took the time to learn about them and create something just for them. It’s truly a highlight of our year.”

Photo provided Ella poses for a picture with her Valentine’s Day box created by Jackson Middle School seventh-graders for Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Judah poses in front of his Valentine’s Day box created by Jackson Middle School seventh-graders for Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Renleigh holds her Valentine's Day box Thursday created by Jackson Middle School seventh-graders Collins Rader, Charlotte Eakle and Payson Hart at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Jackson Middle School seventh-grader Jax Allen shows off the Valentine's Day box he made to give to younger kids at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Jackson Middle School seventh-graders Chaney Brown, Cameron Underwood and Nikitas Vasilakis show the Lego inspired Valentine's Day box the group made to give to younger kids at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Jackson Middle School seventh-graders Reagan Cochran, Kamrie Anderson, Simi Patel and Morgan Greer show off the Valentine's Day box the group made to give to younger kids at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Jackson Middle School seventh-grader Connor Smith shows his Bingo, a character from the show Bluey, inspired Valentine's Day box to give to younger kids at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Jackson Middle School seventh-grader Julian Louden shows off his Spider-man themed Valentine’s Day box he made for daycare students at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Jackson Middle School seventh-grader Xaiden Moore created a Spider-man pizzeria themed Valentine’s Day box for younger kids at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Jackson Middle School seventh-grader Orion Evans displays his giraffe themed box he created for Valentine's Day to give to younger kids at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.

Photo provided Jackson Middle School seventh-graders Collins Rader, Charlotte Eakle and Payson Hart made a hippo inspired Valentine's Day box to give to younger kids at Olivia and Friends Childhood and Development Center.