George School Students Participate in Day of Service

George School students participated in a day of service Monday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. The students participated in service opportunities at 32 sites throughout Philadelphia, Bucks County and New Jersey.

Projects included food preparation, environmental service, administrative duties, clean-ups, sorting clothes, arts and crafts, working with horses and visiting retirement communities. 

“We want our students to take the time to recognize individuals of principle like Dr. King, to have opportunities to reflect on the meaning of their lives and actions, and to be of service themselves, because our students will be the next generation of leaders in our world,” said Head of School Nancy Starmer.

The day began with an all-school assembly, where students heard messages from faculty who have been impacted by Dr. King’s legacy. Students then boarded buses to go to their respective service sites.

Student Sydney Denmark spent the day with residents at Neshaminy Manor.

“It’s really nice to connect with the elderly. Dr. King emphasized equality among people. Although we are different ages, it was an opportunity for us to talk about similar things,” said Sydney, adding that the students also played games with the residents.

Chesa Sacchi spent the day at George School cleaning toys for Second Chance Toys, a non-profit organization, which collects, cleans, and distributes toys to needy children throughout the area.

“This was a real community effort to help. It works so well with Dr. King’s vision of serving the community,” said Chesa, who said her group cleaned about three hundred toys yesterday. “We are invited to deliver the toys next weekend. We are literally able to help from start to finish.”

This year’s King Day of Service was part of a restructured program that rotates service, student-initiated programs, faculty-initiated programs and workshops with outside presenters over a four-year period. George School’s Diversity Oversight Committee, which consists of board members, faculty, staff and parents, developed the new program based on the results of a poll conducted last winter. Planning for the 2012 King Day of Service began in September.

“The entire George School community has been involved in the planning,” said Steven Fletcher, a George School teacher and member of the King Day of Service planning committee. “Everyone has been an amazing help by offering their time and resources.” Fletcher added that Kampus Klothes subsidized the cost of the t-shirts the student and adult volunteers wore Monday. 

“George School is known for its service initiatives. This day of service is a great way for us to get to know our community,” Fletcher said. “And what better way to do that than on Martin Luther King Day.”

The King Day of Service concluded with meeting for worship, where students reflected on the day.