Alvernia University students and staff spent the day scrubbing tables, raking leaves and removing graffiti at the Second and Oley Playground in Reading as part of the Martin Luther King Day of Service.
"What is really nice about Alvernia is they like to help the community, get out there with outreach and other stuff. So right now, we are just helping clean up the park," said Nick Bombard, a freshman at Alvernia.
Nick Bombard is just one of the students who volunteered on his day off. Alvernia staff members said they give students a list of options to sign up for and then branch out all over the community to help.
"I think the community overall is really responsive to us. A lot of smiles, a lot of handshakes and a lot of thank yous which is always really nice," said Kim Stoudt, a professor at Alvernia University.
But they were not the only ones getting their hands dirty. Penn State Berks students volunteered at the Animal Rescue League in Cumru Township. They helped clean windows and walk the dogs in the center.
"They get cooped up inside most the time, so it is great to bring them out and play with them and have them just run around the lose energy," said Kiana Yau, a freshman at Penn State Berks.
Students said they enjoyed serving the community on their day off.
"It is fulfilling. It feels really good just getting out and helping people. It is great," said Corbin Jankowski, a sophomore at Penn State Berks.
People with the Neighborhood Housing Services Family & Youth Resource Center also spent the day serving others.
It is an organization that typically provides an after-school program for kids in Reading, but for MLK Day, they decided to serve close to 100 people a hot meal.
"They were really glad. They said we really made their day," said Rose Cook, NHS Family & Youth Resource Center.
"Throughout the country, it is a day where people give back to the community and that is what Dr. King was about," said Timothy Cook Sr., NHS Family & Youth Resource Center.
from 69News:Home http://ift.tt/15nvzet
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