Students volunteer during Day of Service

RIVERSIDE

Central Middle School youths make cards for hospitalized kids and more

Students at Central Middle School participate in a service project of making cards for children in the hospital Feb. 28 as the school hosts a Day of Service in Riverside, benefiting local and national organizations. Photos by Anjali Sharif-Paul — staff phtographer

Central Middle School eighth grader La Renee Mendez signs a memorial blanket for Zakaria Diaz, a student who died in December.

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By Mark Acosta

macosta@scng.com

They came to school to serve.

Some students made blankets. Others created cards for hospitalized children. Still others signed a memorial blanket for the family of a late classmate.

It was the Day of Service at Central Middle School of Arts and Innovation.

Held Feb. 28, the event brought students throughout the day into the multipurpose room to work at stations set up to support national and local causes.

Eighth grade science teacher Christine Beaulieu, who advises the campus Community Service Club, organized the event, which saw about 35 students volunteer per class period.

A major project was the signing the blanket for the family of Zakaria Diaz, a student who died in a Jurupa Valley fire in December.

But students did much more.

They wrote letters to and made bookmarks for members of the military, tied fleece blankets, crafted Christmas ornaments for those who’ve lost homes to fires and disasters and assembled gifts for eighth graders who will be promoted in June.