'Day Of Caring' Helps Casica Students Give Back To McKinley Elementary

Thousands of volunteers took part in Friday's Tulsa Area United Way Day of Caring.

They went to more than 300 locations in Tulsa, from hospitals to schools.

"Today is a wonderful day at McKinley Elementary," McKinley Elementary School's Soraya Payne said.

More than 100 Cascia Hall's students took the school day off to give back to kids at McKinley Elementary.

"We don't really get many chances to, so we decided we would take a day off from school and give back to Tulsa," Tristan Hanna said.

Students are mentoring the elementary kids and learning a few new tricks from the youngsters.

"It's really cool because I get to know what it's like to be in second grade again," Hanna said.

Others are decorating the hallways, adding some color to help inspire the kids.

"Every situation needs a hero and we have two wonderful heroes today," Payne said.

Southwest Airlines is also lending a helping hand at McKinley.

The outside of the old school building is also getting a makeover.

Students are painting a new mural on the building, and digging weeds out of the flower bed to beautify the school.

"Tulsa Public Schools could not survive without the help of all of the partnering agencies that work so closely with us every year and we're grateful," Payne said.

Last year, Cascia Hall students painted a mural in the school's entryway. The principal says it adds spice to the school and makes coming to school that much brighter.