DAY OF SERVICE
Area organizations offer opportunity to mark MLK Day
POTTSTOWN >> As the holiday commemorating the life of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. approaches, area events are being planned to help local residents join together in the spirit of what King stood for.
The first will start Saturday and run through Monday.
• In Ian’s Boots, the North Coventry non-profit that collects and delivers shoes to those who need them, will be holding a weekend of service at their location at 1486 S. Hanover St. (Route 100) behind Diane’s Discount Pets.
“We will be open Saturday, Sunday and Monday, so service days and times are completely flexible. We will be sorting, cleaning, tagging and putting shoes in stock. Individuals, families or groups are welcome,” according to information provided by Ron Miller, who founded the charity with his wife Holly in memory of their son Ian who died in a sledding accident.
The hours the facility will be open for volunteers are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. Call 610-9708820 for more information.
• At 11 a.m. Sunday, Second Baptist Church, 507 N. Adams St., will hold its regular service followed by an educational program on the life and work of King. The public is welcome.
The church is also participating in a wider program of events with other churches in the greater Reading area.
• A community-wide celebration be held 3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at 750 N. Evans St. in Pottstown and sponsored by area churches and religious organizations.
According to organizers, “the celebration is designed to promote peace and unity among the religious communities.”
As of Tuesday, participating churches are: Bethel Community Church of Pottstown; Christ Episcopal Church; First Presbyterian Church; The Hill School Alumni Chapel; The Salvation Army; Falkner Swamp United Church of Christ and Zion’s United Church of Christ.
The Rev. Vernon Ross, pastor of Bethel Community Church of Pottstown, will be the featured speaker and BCCP Youth Choir, Presbyterian Chancel and BCCP Praise Power Choirs will be singing.
• On Monday, the Olivet Boys and Girls Club at the Ricketts Community Center will be holding several activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Club youth, Olivet staff, Montgomery County Community College students and staff, AmeriCorps members (high school and college students that complete 450 hours of community service with the organization), and community volunteers will come together to participate in educational activities and complete a service project.
Educational activities throughout the day will focus on young people involved in the civil rights movement. Club members will learn about Ruby Bridges, the Birmingham Children’s March, and the Little Rock Nine which all played a pivotal role in ending segregation in the United States. The goal is to reinforce the message that young people have a voice and can create positive social change.
Club members will also complete a service project to honor first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers) in the local community. Youth will make thank you cards and decorate drawstring bags containing granola bars, hand sanitizer, instant coffee and tea, as well as other useful on-the-go items. The bags will then be distributed to nearly 100 local first responders the week following the event.
The day will culminate in a “Peace Walk” where the group will walk, carrying signs of peace and equality on city blocks near the Pottstown club.
• At 7 p.m. Monday, the New Hanover United Methodist Church, 2211 Swamp Pike in Gilbertsville, will host the Boyertown Area Ministerial Association’s Martin Luther King Day celebration.
Students from Boyertown Area High school and Pine Forge Academy provide music.