The residents of FutureCare Center in Arnold got a welcome treat on Saturday when students and parents of Magothy River Middle School paid a visit to play some bingo and socialize. The visit was sponsored by the school PTO's Community Service Committee.

Though the National Junior Honor Society at Magothy River Middle School organizes many activities that allow local families to help nonprofit organizations, members of the school’s PTSO wanted to provide other students some personal experiences serving others in their own community.

This year, the PTSO’s Community Service Committee has once again been active, providing any students with the interest and time to participate in a variety of community service activities, earning service learning hours in new and meaningful ways.

“The Committee had been started in years past and kind of dwindled,” said parent volunteer Amy Cohen-Callow. “We wanted to start it again and provide ways that the kids feel connected with their community.”

The group, which includes parents and students meets regularly on the second Tuesday of every month at 8:15 a.m. in the school’s Media Center. The group is only for Magothy River Middle families. 

The students have also conducted a neighborhood collection for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and hope to go back to FutureCare on a regular basis. 

Sixth grader Katie Bennett said it was her first time at the center.

“I like helping out,” she said. “It was fun.”

Her friend Megan Echard agreed.

“My mom is involved with the committee so it is nice to do things together,” she said.