More Than 100 CMS Students Spread the Warmth on MLK Day

More than 100 students from Central Middle School “Spread the Warmth” to the Chicago homeless on Martin Luther King Jr. Day by leaving scarves and other winter wear at bus stops around downtown Chicago.

The students gave up their day off school and boarded buses to the city, where they walked north along Michigan Avenue, tying the warm clothing to as many bus stops as possible. The students left, gloves, hats, scarves, and boots all around the city. The CMS team then re-boarded the buses after crossing the DuSable Bridge and traveled to the Catholic Charities, where they continued to distribute winter gear.

The outing was organized under the guidance of teachers Pat Coci, Deb Weston, and Julia Kelly, and the CMS 4SADD/Leadership group. CMS Principal Michelle Reed said she was extremely proud of her students and staff for using their day away from school to help others.

“On the coldest day of the year, they led families all over downtown Chicago giving winter gear to the homeless. Their fearless and selfless acts of kindness are appreciated and so necessary,” Reed said.

This marked the first time D124 has participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service. The items given away were collected via donations from CMS families.