Kindergarten project at Thedford elementary captures national and global attention

THEDFORD, Neb. (KOLN) - A Thedford kindergarten teacher’s simple request for Valentine’s cards from all 50 states has generated a huge response from the nation, as well as 20 other countries.

Dawn McFadden, a first-year kindergarten teacher, launched the Hearts Across America project on Jan. 6 by sending home flyers asking for valentines from every state. McFadden shared the request on social media, and the project quickly gained momentum.

“Within two weeks, we had received 300 cards or people that have responded to us,” McFadden said. “We filled our United States map. We had colored all 50 states within two weeks.”

The project gained national attention when Elle Worley shared it on social media. Worley said she posted about McFadden’s request after a friend told her about it.

“I gained a bit of a following last year for rescuing a dog,” Worley said. “So I was like, I’m sure that people are going to love getting involved in this story. So I posted and the original video went viral.”

The kindergarten class has received messages from school personnel and retired teachers, badges from police departments, seashells, a conch shell and autograph cards from Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland.

McFadden said the students learned geography through the project but were surprised by the kindness they received.

“I just think that they’re going to remember this for a lifetime,” McFadden said.

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