ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
From left, Stephanie Perez, Zarna Balabbas, and Fatima Alabbasi, of Breed Middle School, pack books that will be turned over to representatives of anti-domestic violence advocates.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY
LYNN — Breed Middle School students are paying it forward with their donations of children’s books, towels and blankets.
“It felt good because you were helping people,” 12-year-old Zainab Al-Abbasi said, “It made me feel content because people would smile because we did this. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.”
The middle school students collected the materials as part of Breed’s Character Club, whose goal is to help students become productive members of the school community.
About 300 books were donated to Healing Abuse Working for Change, a regional shelter that serves people affected by domestic abuse. Two boxes of blankets and towels were donated to Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem.
Sixth grader Fatima Al-Abbasi, 12, said she joined because she heard her friends talking about the club. She enjoyed making a difference with the drive and other projects.
The club, supervised by reading teacher Carol Aceto, started last fall. Students participate in activities such as creating posters promoting respect, self-control and perseverance, role playing and writing.
Earlier in the year, students watched the movie “Pay It Forward” starring Kevin Spacey. It tells the story of a social studies teacher who challenges his class to create an idea to change the world. One student comes up with the concept of paying forward favors and sets into motion a wave of human kindness that turns into a national phenomenon.
Matthews Sanchez, 13, a seventh-grader, said what he’ll remember about the club is how he felt when he was helping.
“I wanted to build my character and I wanted to help out the society of the school,” Sanchez said.
Kaylecia Cataloni, 11, a sixth-grader, said she joined to build her character and become a better person.
Thirteen-year-old Ethaniel Almendarez, a seventh-grader, said he hopes that the donation helps people and animals.
Sixth-grader Stephanie Perez, 11, said she liked donating things to others who needed them while
Hellen Sanchez, 11, a sixth-grader, said she joined the club to have fun.
“When I kept going, it inspired me more and it gave me the message that I can change people’s lives,” Sanchez said.
Aceto said the drive is her club’s way of giving back.
“I think it’s fantastic how our student body stepped up and the teachers as well to help make a difference in children’s lives in promoting literacy,” Aceto said.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.
