SACKETS HARBOR — Students could be seen throughout the village and the town of Hounsfield on Friday afternoon planting flowers, spreading mulch, cleaning up sidewalks and beautifying the community during the Sixth Annual Patriots Pride Day.

"It's one day that we can give back to the community that's done so much for us," said Ronald B. Berie, special education teacher and chairman of the Patriots Pride Day committee. "When the students come back, they feel like they're part of the community. They feel like they've made a difference."

The Sackets Harbor Central School district paired with businesses and individuals in the community and sent students in kindergarten through 12th grade into the community to help out, Mr. Berie said.

Students worked at Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Park, Old Stone Hospital, American Legion, the post office, Hay Memorial Library and on the school grounds. Many of the younger students stayed close to the school, while older students were bused to the other locations.

Linda D. Webb, volunteer for the Arts Association of Northern New York, has worked with the students during Patriots Pride Day for five years.

"It's just fun to be with the kids," she said. "It's nice that they give their time. It also gives them an incentive to not be wrecking things — they see all of their hard work."

Anthony J. Gebo, 15, said he likes helping the older people in the community that may not be able to do the work themselves.

"It's cool to take the work off of other people's shoulders," he said. "If you make one person happy, maybe they'll make more people happy."

Marissa A. Williams, 13, said her favorite part of the day is to work with her friends.

"It's good for the environment and to help out the community," she said. "And it's a lot more fun when I can do it with my friends."

David W. Altieri is on the board of directors for Old Stone Hospital and said he's grateful for all of the students' hard work.

"They can get so much done in just a few hours," he said. "They always pitch right in and do so much for the community."