Driven by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve,” George School students, faculty, and staff spent a day in service to local communities.

To celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, George School organized service opportunities at thirty-two sites throughout Philadelphia, Bucks County, and New Jersey, working with the Philadelphia King Day of Service program. Instead of having a day off, students spent Monday, January 16, 2012 participating in projects, which included food preparation, environmental service, administrative duties, clean-ups, sorting clothes, arts and crafts, working with horses, and visiting in retirement communities. Some traveled to Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Camden, and Trenton. Others participated in service projects on campus.

“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.

For Sydney Denmark ’14 spending time with the residents at Neshaminy Manor was a rewarding experience which seemed to fit in quite well with Dr. King’s message.

“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 ’14 was one of the students who 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 newly 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 by an ad hoc group formed from the Diversity Oversight Committee members.

“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.” Steven added that Kampus Klothes subsidized the cost of the T-shirts the student and adult volunteers wore while performing service on 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,” said Steven. “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.

About George School
Founded in 1893 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), George School, a rigorous coed boarding and day school for grades nine through twelve, educates students from eighteen states, forty foreign countries, and a variety of ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds. Through its commitment to diversity and the Quaker values of equality, integrity, and peacemaking, George School inspires students to be led by their own truths while respecting and appreciating opinions and beliefs different from their own. George School was one of the first schools in the United States to implement an International Baccalaureate diploma program. For information about admission, please call 215.579.6547 or visit georgeschool.org.


You can read more about George School's King Day of Service in the following articles:

"George School Students Participate in Day of Service"
Newtown Patch, January 17, 2012

"MLK Honored Throughout Region"
69 News, WFMZ TV, January 16, 2012