Schools in North Augusta showed their community pride Saturday as part of the Aiken County Public School District's Day of Caring.
Students in North Augusta assisted with outdoor cleanup on the Greeneway, clearing outdoor debris from a park and donating items for both humans and pets.
Schools from across the district participated in service projects, including five in North Augusta.
In the past, the day has been dedicated for the community to assist in projects at schools, but this year was the opposite.
Mossy Creek, Hammond Hill and Belvedere elementary schools held a color run – where students ran around a track and at different intervals and were blasted with color powder.
In order to participate, they had to donate five items to CMONA, Community Ministry of North Augusta.
Belvedere Principal Dr. Salvatore Minolfo said fostering the feeling of community is important in students.
"I think when you give back, when you do things in the community, when you serve others, you naturally just feel better about yourself, and it's something that if you do it enough times, it becomes a habit," Minolfo said.
Paul Knox Middle School, North Augusta High School and North Augusta Middle School each did some community cleanup.
Folks from Paul Knox, along with principal Paige Day, cleaned up Leroy Hammond Park at Knobcone Avenue and Curtis Drive. Day said the project is an extension of their partnership with the North Augusta Stormwater Management Department and allows the students to give back through environmental outreach.
North Augusta Middle School students cleaned up a portion of the Greeneway, and North Augusta High School students picked up litter on Knobcone Avenue.
North Augusta Elementary School students went the donation route, too, collecting supplies for Molly's Militia, a local pet rescue, as two students at the school are the grandsons of the rescue's founders. Jim Rhodes, president of the organization, said he was "speechless" after seeing the pile of donations from students.
"These kids did a fantastic job, and the parents," he said, "I want to thank them tremendously…"
Read the full Aiken Standard article HERE.