Northville High School junior Andrew Donnelly had many memorable moments as he interacted with students at Phoenix Elementary-Middle School in Detroit on Thursday afternoon.

Northville students – on the second day of their holiday break from school – spread holiday cheer at the school by painting children's faces, giving out gifts, serving them ice cream, playing music and other activities. The day was organized through the Northville-based non-profit Bridgepointe, which connects suburban and urban students "to learn from each other," according to its website. It was the first time Bridgepointe celebrated the holiday with children at Phoenix.

One of Donnelly's duties Thursday was to pass out winter hats, gloves and scarves and it was also his most treasured moment.

"The first pair I gave out, just how excited the kid was to have a scarf," he said. "I've done this before. I love the kids."

NHS graduate Rachel Beger painted many student faces at the Christmas event. Even now, as a Michigan State University student, she enjoys volunteering. She got hooked on volunteerism, which Beger said she also does at MSU, when she first volunteered with Bridgepointe during her junior year at NHS.

"I just really liked just knowing I was helping, and so close to home," she said.

Beger said that Bridgepointe founder Diane Powers inspires her to continue volunteering throughout the year.

"Mrs. Powers is seriously so inspirational," Beger said. "She really makes you realize it's really close and it's not hard to help."

That's a message Powers wants to resonate with the suburban students from Northville and other areas who volunteer.

"Let's not talk about Detroit. Let's go to Detroit," she said, adding she is impressed by Northville's student volunteers. Urban and suburban students bring different kinds of experiences to the table to learn from each other, she said.

"They're just brilliant, amazing, alive, non-judging and compassionate and creative," Powers said.

Hundreds of volunteers were out interacting with Detroit students Thursday, including another group that was at Neinas Elementary School. They gathered donated gifts, treats and more to hold the Christmas parties at the schools.