On Monday, January 16th, several community schools spent Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service hosting volunteer projects to benefit the school and local community. At William Cramp Elementary Principal Logan and community school coordinator William welcomed 150 Curtis Institute students and volunteers to organize library books and help with a variety of clean-up projects. The afternoon featured a benefit concert dubbed “Songs & Storybooks” which featured world-famous Curtis Institute soloists. The event attracted community members, school staff, students, parents and and music enthusiasts. Cramp raised $1,500 which will support the revitalization of the school library. Read more about this event in Philly Voice.

In South Philadelphia, Southwark Elementary/Middle School continued their MLK Day partnership with Jefferson University Hospital and Wells Fargo and invited volunteers to the school for a day of organizing, cleaning, and painting.  Like Cramp, Southwark focused volunteer efforts on helping to sort and clean-out their school library in the hopes of reopening it soon.

At South Philadelphia High School, community school coordinator Janelle helped manage nearly 200 volunteers who came out to help repaint Southern’s gym. The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania and the Mural Art Guild also painted a mural and repainted the 4th floor of the school, while CityLife Church and Lower Moyamensing Civic Association provided volunteers to paint the gym.

During the holiday weekend, Edward Gideon Elementary/Middle School partnered with Stop Hunger Now, an organization focused on ending global hunger. Parents, students, and community volunteers packaged more than 10,000 meals that will be sent to developing countries for families in need. Check out our Facebook album for more pictures from the activity!

Thank you to all of the volunteers who worked with our community schools to make Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service a success! Interested in volunteering with a community school? Sign up to hear about upcoming opportunities!