Leaves were falling and rakes were flying Friday as 180 students from the McGillis School took to the surrounding neighborhood to rake the yards of those who would otherwise be unable, as well as residents who wanted the extra help.
Students fanned out over several blocks around the school's campus earlier this week and left fliers that were to be hung on the doors if residents wanted their yards cleaned. The school is located at 700 S. 1300 East.
Then on Friday the students spent more than two hours piling and bagging leaves at about 20 different homes for their annual Leaf Haul.
"I like helping people, because if they are disabled, then they can't do it themselves," said fourth-grader Jacob Germain. "It makes me feel good that we are making it easier for them."
Fourth-grader Sebastian Tenlen said even though it was work, it was a nice break from the classroom, and his snow-shoveling experience has made him pretty skillful with a rake, as well.
Most of the students liked the fact that they were able to help those who weren't able to work in their yards.
The school also was able to get names of elderly residents from local wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They offered help to these residents.
The Leaf Haul serves as a piece in the school's service learning curriculum that aims at actively involving students in their community.
"This just helps kids learn how to help the community without asking for anything back," said Jody Mulligan, a second-grade teacher at the school.
The students are divided into family groups that have two children from each grade. Groups meet on Fridays to learn about diversity, kindness and service.
The older students mentor younger students, said McGillis spokeswoman Lisa Poppleton.
The school is no stranger to service projects. So far this year, students have made blankets for the homeless, collected stuffed animals for The Road Home and scavenged clothes and coats for an African preschool.
But the Leaf Haul actively involved both younger and older students and helped build good relationships with neighbors.
"I think this project showed kids that everyone is able to help in some degree, and it builds an awareness of citizenship," Poppleton said. "We want them to learn to help people in various ways outside of school and teach them to identify needs."
E-mail: terickson@desnews.com