Symbols of hope are being transported from Ryan Elementary School fourth- and fifth-graders to Haitians crippled by the country’s recent earthquake.

Through Friday, students had decorated 18 donated metal crutches using permanent markers to create a variety of shapes such as polka dots, lines and stars in bright colors.

People sent money to assist Haitians after the earthquake, Ryan Elementary art teacher Nancy Walkup said, but involving students in a project that decorates crutches for disabled citizens makes the contribution more personal. She said it offers students “a real connection to what’s happening in Haiti.”

DRC/Al Key

From left, Ryan Elementary School students Kiarra Ibarra, Christina Paz and Nick Curtis decorate crutches to be sent to Haiti in Nancy Walker’s fourth-grade class at the school on Thursday in Denton.

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“The fact that they [crutches] were decorated by elementary students will show the people of Haiti that they [students], in fact, care for them, and hopefully, it will bring some joy and color to their lives. It will be such a surprise when they open the box.”

Walkup said she plans to transport the decorated crutches to the city of Burnet, the headquarters of the Global Art Initiative’s Global Crutch Project — a program that offers artistic mobility to artists in Third World countries — next week during spring break. From Burnet, the crutches will be sent to Haiti.

“I feel really proud of myself because it’s just great to help out other people that are in need of help,” Ryan Elementary fourth-grader Christina Paz said. “I’m very happy.”

More than six months ago, Walkup said, she learned about the Global Crutch Project and thought it would be a wonderful effort for her students. She said that in recent months, students have not only prepared crutches for Haitian artists but also for other people left disabled by the country’s recent tragedy. As the need for crutches became greater, Walkup said, students boosted their momentum.

“I just feel that it’s great to help out,” fourth-grader Nick Curtis said.

Walkup said the school will continue collecting donated crutches to decorate as long as there is a need. People may drop off the crutches at the school, 201 W. Ryan Road, she said. School is closed next week for spring break, but crutches can be dropped off once classes resume March 22.

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com.