Pocono News Section

Students Take Part In MLK Day of Service

Students Take Part In MLK Day of Service - Monday, January 18, 2010 at 5:10PM EST

Reported by: Eva Mastromatteo
Monday, Jan 18, 2010 @ 05:10pm EST
Some children in Wilkes-Barre spent a day off from school creating artwork for others. But, it was much more than that. The kids turned the Martin Luther King, Junior Day of Service into a chance to help the elderly and be more green friendly.
The children learned about the environment, while getting an important history lesson about the work of late civil rights leader, Dr. King.

The students usually attend an after school program at the McGlynn Learning Center. The Ameri Corps. Vista Program at both Wilkes University and King's College work directly with the students.
On this day, the United Way was also helping. The kids put spider plants in potted plants. Local donors provided the materials.

Nicole Cooper of the King's College Ameri Corps. Vista says, "Spider plants take in a lot of toxins and air pollutants
that improve the air quality in the room. carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldihide. "

The children painted and planted, and then delivered the work to senior citizens living in an apartment complex in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

At Misericordia University, students volunteered to compile donated baby supplies into baby bags for young moms. The bags will go to moms in the Wilkes-Barre area via Catholic Social Services.

Kristen Mitchell from the Misericordia Campus Ministry says "We got a lot of the goods from the Jewish Family Association. They got a grant through the kids care club. They donated and brought down everything we needed. We got a few donations from faculty and staff."

Certainly an effort a lot of people had a hand in to display the meaning of service.