Valley school hosts Day O’Service for 25 charities

Ten valley schools put rivalry aside and joined forces with John Glenn Middle School in Indio as it hosted the “Coachella Valley’s Ultimate Day O’Service” on Saturday. Students collected everything from books, shoes, jeansandeven pillow cases for a cause.

“Anything you can think of, we’re donating,” said Antonia Soria, an 8th grader at JGMS.

Farah Meadows, the student activities director, says the ‘O’ is no coincidence. She was selected as one of Oprah Winfrey’sultimate viewers and traveled to Australia back in 2010.

“When we came back we decided to spread the love,” she said.

That’s why she put it up to her students to devote one united day of service in the Coachella Valley. They created something as simple as a drive-through donation drop off — benefiting 25 different charities locally and beyond including Soles4Souls, FIND Food Bank, Little Dresses for Africa, Make a Wish Foundation and more.

“I cleared out everything! And thought, I was going to donate it all anyways, might as well help more than one charity,” said Bobbie Zabalza, of Indio.

And it wasn’t just neighbors driving in for the event.

“This is student-driven. They pick the charities, they run the items to the charities,” said Meadows.

The JGMS Associated Student Body chose 25 charities in honor of Oprah’s 25 years on air.

“This is proof these kids want to give back and they just need the opportunity and that’s what this is doing for them,” said Meadows.

If you couldn’t make it to the drive — items can be dropped off at John Glenn Middle School until Friday. The donated items will be delivered to or be picked up by the selected organizations this week.