From sharing conversations with senior citizens to lending a hand at local businesses, parks, and elementary schools, Saco Middle School (SMS) students spent a day discovering something important: They aren't just growing up in their community; they're an important part of what makes it special.
Nearly 600 students and 110 staff members traded their traditional classroom routines for opportunities to connect with neighbors, support local organizations, and experience the joy of giving back during the school's annual Kindness Day. The event brought students to dozens of locations throughout Saco, where their enthusiasm and willingness to help showed that making a difference has no age requirement.
At Saco Parks and Recreation, students helped serve meals to local seniors, creating opportunities for meaningful interactions across generations. What began as a simple act of service became an opportunity to share stories, exchange smiles, and discover how much a few minutes of conversation can mean to someone. "I thought we were just going to help serve lunch, but I really liked talking with the seniors and seeing how happy they were to have us there," said SMS student Sophia Chasse.
"Having the students here brings such wonderful energy to our senior programming," said Amelia Foster, assistant director of community outreach, senior programs and wellness at Saco Parks and Recreation. "Our seniors enjoy seeing young people take an interest in their community, and the students bring so much enthusiasm to everything they do. It's a special opportunity for different generations to connect, and I think everyone walks away with a smile."
Similar connections were happening throughout the city, and in neighboring communities, as students experienced firsthand the many people, places, and organizations that make a community thrive. Some rolled up their sleeves to clean Diamond Riverside Park, Bayview Beach and trails maintained by Saco Bay Trails, while others helped prepare for Saco Main Street's Pumpkin Fest and decorated the Saco Fire Station for Halloween. Students also expressed their appreciation for local first responders by creating posters, handwritten notes, and treats for the Saco Fire and Police departments.
Other groups supported organizations such as the Saco Food Pantry, Maine Needs, The Reach, and YMCA. Students lent a hand at local businesses and farms, assisted at Dyer Library and Saco City Hall, and connected with residents at Wardwell and Maine Veterans' Home. Still others visited Fairfield School, Young School, C.K. Burns School, Saco Pre-K, and Head Start, giving younger children a chance to interact with middle school students who were once in their shoes.
For students, the experience offered more than a chance to complete a good deed. It provided a different perspective on their hometown and an opportunity to see themselves as active contributors to the community, whether helping a younger child, supporting a local business, or brightening someone's day.
"One of my favorite parts of Kindness Day is seeing how genuinely excited our students are to get out into the community and connect with others," said Marie Sommer, principal of Saco Middle School. "They're not just completing service projects. They're meeting the people who make our community special and discovering that they have something valuable to contribute. When students realize they can make a difference right now, not just when they're adults, that's a powerful lesson that extends far beyond the classroom."
Kindness Day is part of the school's annual fundraising initiative, organized by the Saco Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), that puts a meaningful twist on traditional school fundraising. Rather than selling products or collecting pledges for physical challenges, students invite family and friends to support them as they complete acts of kindness throughout October. Although Kindness Day is one of the initiative's most visible celebrations, its impact extends beyond a single day, encouraging empathy, gratitude, and community involvement while raising funds to enhance students' educational experiences.
Last year's fundraiser generated $9,800 to support outdoor spaces and student programming. This year's initiative continues the school's efforts to expand opportunities for students and is made possible through the dedication of the PTO, staff, local businesses, and community organizations that open their doors and welcome students. Their collective support creates opportunities for young people to build relationships, develop a sense of belonging, and see their hometown through a different lens.
For Saco Middle School students, Kindness Day is about more than giving back. It's about discovering that they belong to a community that values their contributions and that, even at a young age, they have the power to help shape it.
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