Penn State Wilkes-Barre students may have had a day off from classes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but for a group of students, faculty, and staff from Penn State northeast regional campuses, the day off became a day "on."
On Monday, January 16th, a group of Penn State Wilkes-Barre students and staff traveled to Penn State Schuylkill for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day "ON" Community Service Event.
The national Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service was started by former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, who co-authored the King Holiday and Service Act. The federal legislation challenges Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action and volunteer service in honor of Dr. King. The federal legislation was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on August 23rd, 1994.
This year's program included a presentation by volunteer Natasha Bliss from the Invisible Children in San Diego, live music performed by Penn State students, and volunteering for three hours at a variety of locations throughout the Schuylkill County area. Penn State Wilkes-Barre students and staff volunteered at the St. John's Church of Christ Food Pantry, located in Orwigsburg, PA.
Pictured Left To Right: Alan Slutter, St. John's Food Pantry Volunteer, Megan Harris, Ann Marie Wempa, Suzanne Attanasio, Marika Merritt, and Karen Winters. Not Pictured: Jackie Warnick-Piatt.
