AUGUSTA — Students at St. Michael School put down their books and iPads Oct. 1 and picked up rakes, rags and gloves, to help make their community a better place.

Students in grades Pre-K through eight participated in the Day of Caring, an annual event organized by the United Way to celebrate the spirit of service and engage thousands of people across the country in community service projects. During the day, St. Michael students cleaned the yard at the Howell House, a senior residence in Augusta; picked up litter and raked on the Kennebec River Rail Trail; and spread bark mulch on the school playground.

In addition to the Day of Caring projects, students also launched a drive to collect mittens, hats, pillows, towels and socks for Bread of Life in Augusta, an organization that operates a soup kitchen, a family shelter, a shelter for veterans and apartment units, and offers case management services to those in need.

“Students take pride in giving their time and donations to important projects to help improve our communities,” said Kevin Cullen, principal of St. Michael, according to a news release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. “We are proud of our students and the community spirit they demonstrate not just during special events, but each day.”