Kindness alert: Thurston Middle School PAL students spread holiday cheer

students giving gifts to kids
Students from the PAL program at Thurston Middle School recently hit the road for an altruistic tour that included a stop at the La Playa Center, where they delivered gifts to preschool children. (Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times)

They stepped out of class to step into kindness.

As reported in this Daily Pilot article, a group of students involved with the Peer Assistance Leadership — or PAL — program at Thurston Middle School in Laguna Beach took a trip off campus to spread holiday cheer to others.

The 17-student team set out on a tour of the city, singing Christmas carols and giving gifts at places like the Laguna Food Pantry and the Alternative Sleeping Location, the city’s overnight emergency shelter.

Administered by OCDE, PAL programs promote community service and leadership skills built around the concept of students helping students.