PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 14, 2013 — Men, women and children of all ages across the Philadelphia region will honor the legacy of one of America’s greatest leaders, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by participating in the upcoming 18th annual King Day of Service.
Honoring the evolution of this federal holiday into a day of volunteerism and service, state Sen. Anthony H. Williams is attending the kickoff ceremony of the Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service and co-sponsoring two opportunities for citizens to give back to the community — a winter clothing drive and a local cleanup.
“Dr. King’s messages of equality, peace, and justice live on with all Americans as we all strive to make this world a better place, and the King Day of Service is a fitting tribute to his legacy,” said Williams (D-Phila./Delaware). “I encourage everyone to give back to their community in some way this Jan. 21, and I’m pleased to be able to offer folks two specific opportunities that won’t take much time but will make a big difference.”
Williams and Boys Latin Charter School invite the public to participate in a winter clothing drive for the homeless co-hosted by Sacaree Rhodes of the African Daughters of Fine Lineage.
Gently used clothing donations of winter coats, gloves, hats, socks, men’s underwear (colors only), shoes and boots will be accepted now through Friday, Jan. 18 at the senator’s district office, located at 2901 Island Ave., suite 100 in Philadelphia, or at Boys Latin Charter School, located at 5501 Cedar Ave. in Philadelphia.
The clothing will be distributed to the homeless on Monday, Jan. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. (the senator will attend between 2 and 2:30 p.m.) at the Municipal Services Building, 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd. in Philadelphia. For more information and to participate in the clothing distribution, call Desaree Jones at 215-492-2980.
Williams will participate in the official kickoff of the 18th annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service starting at 9 a.m. at Girard College, 2101 S. College Ave. (21st Street and Girard Avenue).
Williams, along with state Rep. Jordan Harris, West Shore Civic Organization and the 48th and Woodland Advisory Council, invite the public to participate in a cleanup of the 48th and Woodland Recreation Center, located at 4740 Woodland Ave. in Philadelphia, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the senator will attend at 11:30 a.m.) on Monday, Jan. 21.
This event is open to individuals of all ages. Light refreshments will be available. Participants are also welcome to check out the senator’s Peace Promotion table, which will have details on volunteering in the community and information on crime prevention efforts.
For more information about the cleanup, call Rasheen Crews at 215-492-2980.
The senator also invites the public to participate in the following events taking place throughout the 8th Senatorial District on Monday, Jan. 21:
- Laura Sims Skate House, located at 210 S. 62nd St. in Philadelphia, will host a community discussion on the life and times of Dr. King from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be quiz sheets and prizes, bag lunches and gifts for youth participants. Call 215-685-1895.
- The Church of the Holy Apostles and the Mediator, located at 260 S. 51st St. in Philadelphia, will be fixing, cleaning and painting the youth rooms, parish hall and food pantry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 215-472-3000.
- Bartram’s Garden, located at 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. in Philadelphia, will host an outdoor cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Call 215-729-5281.
- Love Loving Love Inc. will be giving free hairstyles and haircuts to children in Bartram Village in Philadelphia through its “Hairstyles for Hope” event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 610-931-0826.
- Villanova University will be painting, cleaning wheelchairs and dining room chairs and will be holding an activity with residents of the Holy Family home, located at 5300 Chester Ave. in Philadelphia, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 610-519-7316.
- Nine hundred students engaged in after-school programs at 18 Philadelphia EducationWorks schools will participate in the 2013 One King Book initiative from 9 to 10 a.m. at George Pepper Middle School, 2901 S. 84th St. by reading one of the selected books and creating an essay or drawing in response to what they read. Call 215-221-6909.
- Expressions through Art will be cleaning and painting George Pepper Middle School and surroundings, located at 2901 S. 84th St. in Philadelphia from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 610-203-3215.
- Volunteers will be painting the lobby hallways of Kingsessing Recreation Center, located at 7840 Chelwynde Ave. in Philadelphia from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 215-685-2694.
- Students at Penrose Elementary School, located at 2515 S. 78th St. in Philadelphia, will be participating in the creation of art projects that connect with the dream of Dr. King from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students will also participate in a dance lesson, yoga class, and line dance lesson and will be working together to create a mural called the “wall of hands.”
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