Unionville students to work for community on MLK Day

Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Schools across the nation will be closed January 20, 2020, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Although they will not be in school for a traditional day of learning, UCFSD students will be in various locations throughout the community participating in a day of service and learning the very important lesson of helping others in need.

Several activities have been organized at UCF schools in conjunction with community partners where our students will actively participate in a variety of community service projects. Each project is unique and allows our students to fulfill a mission, help those in need, and make an impact on the community and in the lives of others.

Below is a snapshot of how our students will be making a difference on this important day of service. Please feel free to stop by our schools to get an upclose look:

Unionville Elementary School - As part of their annual “Blankets for Buddies” program, students will be making fleece blankets for children with long-term illnesses at Nemours/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children. Families will be provided with a blanket-making kit so that parents and children can work together to make these special gifts for children at the hospital. (Time: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Location: Unionville Elementary Cafeteria )

Hillendale Elementary School will strive to learn, create, and donate to demonstrate service above self. Students will partner with three organizations: Julee Cares, an organization

that makes handmade surgical caps for kids, STEHM, a transitional home for women and children, and KACS - Luther House, an organization that provides meals for the elderly. In their time, students will learn about these charitable organizations, create artwork and supplies for each group, and donate items of need. (Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: HES Cafeteria)

Patton Middle School will use large looms setup for volunteers to weave plastic “plarn” into sleeping mats that will be given to homeless individuals in Philadelphia. In addition, they will assemble Children’s Survival Kits for young children arriving at the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County as well as organize other donated items for the center. (Time: 9:00 - 12:00 Location: Patton Middle School Large Cafeteria)

Pocopson Elementary School will host a familyoriented community service event on Monday morning at the school. They will create comfort parcels for children in local hospitals and homeless shelters by knotting together fleece blankets and pairing them with a new book and stuffed animal. (Time: 9 a.m. to noon. Location: Pocopson Elementary School Cafeteria)

Unionville High School students will participate in multiple projects throughout the community with organizations such as Project C.U.R.E., Empty Bowl Workshop, Luther House, Exton Adult Care, the Kennett YMCA and the Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children. Projects include packing food, making crafts, preparing medical supplies for shipment, painting, cleaning, making fleece blankets, and creating ceramic bowls. (Time 9 a.m. to noon: Locations: Various).

Chadds Ford Elementary School continues to practice Dr. King’s vision of community service throughout the year by supporting their sister school, Mitchell Elementary. During the week of January 21, they will be collecting school supply donations to create a Mitchell Teacher Supply Closet, which allows teachers and students who may have limited funding available to have access to basic school supplies and indoor recess supplies (glue, pencils, markers, board games, building toys, etc.).

Students will organize the donations during school hours and prepare the school supply items to be sent to their friends at Mitchell Elementary School.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Last year, the students, families, faculty and staff at Unionville Elementary School came together to participate in the “Blankets for Buddies” program, as part of the MLK Jr. Day of Service.