Valentines at Aquebogue Elementary Benefit Christopher Timpone

Students at sold over 1,200 "lolligrams" - lollipops with a message sent along with it - to show their classmate who is recovering from cancer, Christopher Timpone, that on a day when love fills the classroom in the form of hearts and cards and candy, he's on their mind.

Three classes at the elementary school raised $669 to help pay for Timpone's medical bills. Students were sent home with a note to parents asking if they would like to send a lolligram to someone on Valentine's Day, and students and parents responded enthusiastically.

“As part of our Character education program, we talk with the children about doing good deeds for others," said Katy Petit, an Aquebogue Elementary teacher. "The response was fantastic! ... The students loved making the deliveries, and students loved getting hand-delivered Valentines. it also supported a great cause!”

Timpone was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer most frequently found in children, shortly after Labor Day weekend. A Facebook page, titled Courage, Strength and Faith for Christopher, has been set up to keep track of his progress, and according to a post on Sunday, the nine-year-old had just fought off a fever after completing the fifth of seven rounds of chemotherapy.

Near the end of January, doctors at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in Manhattan were able to remove all of Christopher's cancer.

The effort from Riverhead students wasn't the first one throughout the school district. In January, Riverhead High School's Council for Unity .