Coronavirus Can't Stop LMSD's MLK Day Service Projects

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, Lower Merion School District families is once again taking on service projects to help improve their community.

Students and the families will be undertaking a variety of safe, socially distant community service projects during the week leading up to the Martin Luther King Day holiday.

The coronavirus didn't stop the annual initiative, despite the district canceling its typical in-person afternoon of service.

At Merion, Cynwyd, and Penn Valley elementary schools, students collected children’s books for donation to BookSmiles.org and to Global Citizen, the organization that coordinates the region’s MLK Day of Service. Global Citizen will distribute the books to children whose families attend the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium testing event at Girard College on Monday.

Additionaly, Gladwyne Elementary students penned letters for “Letters Against Isolation” to ease the loneliness of seniors who are isolated due to the coronavirus.

And students from buildOn at Welsh Valley Middle School will be collected snacks for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House while their children receive medical treatment in Philadelphia.

Students from Penn Wynne Elementary School created cards to be distributed by the Maternity Care Coalition, while the Penn Wynne staff hosted a food drive to benefit the Ardmore Food Pantry.

About 300 students from buildOn at Lower Merion High School volunteered at a number of
projects, including leading teen panel discussions on "Race, Reflection and Response" and
"Open Heart Processing" in conjunction with members of local congregation Beth Am Israel.

High school students also took on in at-home projects including creating dog toys for PAWS and PSPCA; sewing eco-friendly cloth face masks; and writing to letters to lawmakers about climate change, Valentines for senior citizens and welcome letters to new immigrants.