[PHOTOS] PVHS Students Made Monday a Day ‘On’ for MLK, Jr.

Perkiomen Valley High School students braved the cold on Jan. 21 to participate in Perkiomen Valley’s first Day of Service to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

More than 60 students volunteered at various organizations throughout the Perkiomen Valley, including:

•     Weeding and helping to clean up orchards for Greener Partners/Longview Center for Agriculture.

•     Washing down and painting walls at the Keystone Grange #2.

•     Learning about service opportunities with the American Youth Literacy Foundation and helping run a community book drive. Over 1,000 children’s books were donated on Jan. 21 and will be divided between American Youth Literacy Foundation (a group that provides free tutoring services to struggling readers), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Schwenksville Library.

•     Cleaned up at Trappe Fire Company No. 1 and Perkiomen Township Fire Company.

•     Provided companionship to residents at Greenfield Senior Living.

•     Cleaned up and helped organize at the Variety Club in Worcester Township.

•     Sorted coats and other clothing items for Feel the Warmth in Jeffersonville.

The PVHS Day of Service was inspired by the events that Philadelphia organizations hold to celebrate King's legacy. Students participated in picking the service activities, and served as liaisons to the community organizations.

While the initial Day of Service was limited to high school students, the school district hopes to expand in future years to include more Perkiomen Valley students and families.

After school on Jan. 18, PVHS students had an opportunity to learn about King from Dr. Christian Rice, an Ursinus Professor who teaches in the philosophy and religious studies department and runs the Bonner Program and the Ursinus Center for Advocacy, Responsibility, and Engagement (UCARE).