Marshall University women’s studies is taking orders for Valentine Turtlegrams this week.

Turtlegrams are hand-made plush turtles with hearts sewn on their backs. The turtles can be personalized with initials or names and purchased for $10 by Friday.

The Women’s Studies Advisory Board donates all materials for the Turtlegrams.

Half of the proceeds will go to Branches Domestic Violence Center in Huntington.

Jill Treftz, assistant professor of English, said Turtlegrams raised $445 for Branches last year. Women’s studies hopes to make the same amount, if not more, this year.

The plush turtles were originally made for students of Sandy Hook Elementary School who survived the tragic shooting in 2012.

Laura Michele Diener, director of women’s studies, made the turtles for a classroom that had a pet turtle.

Valentine Turtlegrams became popular at Marshall after the turtles were featured in a craft sale for women’s studies in 2013.

“The turtles were so cute that they were gone from the craft sale about in an hour,” Treftz said. “It went so well that we decided to make them and sell them for Valentines Day.”

Turtlegrams will be hand-made by Anna Mummert, a math professor, Diener and other members of the Women’s Studies Advisory Board and its affiliates.

Hannah Harman can be contacted at [email protected].