Thousands to attend MLK Day of Service in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (FOX 29) - A record 150,000 volunteers are expected to participate in the 24th Annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service on Monday.
In North Philadelphia, Girard College will host the region's signature project with some 5,000 volunteers serving on more than 100 projects.
The day of service will focus on young people and the impact of gun violence on communities, finding solutions, and envisioning peace.
Gov. Tom Wolf, Mayor Jim Kenney and U.S.Sen. Bob Casey will lead volunteers assembling Dream Booths -- portable three-dimensional displays of synthetic plastic pipe -- along with Dreamline Banners -- panels of cloth with personal expressing values and dreams of a world without gun violence.
The completed 100 Dream Booths will be distributed to schools, community organizations and public spaces throughout Philadelphia, along with a suggested lesson plan for reflection and discussion.
The King Day of Service will also host its 8th Annual Jobs and Opportunity Fair, with 500 job seekers choosing among some 30 local employers with available positions and AmeriCorps national service programs.
A Civic Engagement Expo will speak to the work of various local community organizations and opportunities to volunteer throughout the year. A Health and Wellness Fair will also feature organizations providing expert advice, testing, and screenings in areas including diabetes, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, CPR training, eating disorders, nutrition and fitness.
A Kid's Carnival for children ages 5-12 will include making care packages for people in-need, families reading stories about Dr. King, crafts-making and testing real voting machines.
To wrap up the event, the Philadelphia Orchestra will perform its 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert in the chapel. The concert kicks off at 1:30 p.m.
A record 150,000 volunteers are expected to participate in the 24th Annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service on Monday.
In North Philadelphia, Girard College will host the region's signature project with some 5,000 volunteers serving on more than 100 projects.
The day of service will focus on young people and the impact of gun violence on communities, finding solutions, and envisioning peace.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and US Sen. Bob Casey will lead volunteers assembling Dream Booths -- portable three-dimensional displays of synthetic plastic pipe -- along with Dreamline Banners -- panels of cloth with personal expressing values and dreams of a world without gun violence.
The completed 100 Dream Booths will be distributed to schools, community organizations and public spaces throughout Philadelphia, along with a suggested lesson plan for reflection and discussion.
The King Day of Service will also host its 8th Annual Jobs and Opportunity Fair, with 500 job seekers choosing among some 30 local employers with available positions and AmeriCorps national service programs.
A Civic Engagement Expo will highlight various local community organizations and opportunities to volunteer throughout the year. A Health and Wellness Fair will also feature organizations providing expert advice, testing, and screenings in areas including diabetes, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, CPR training, eating disorders, nutrition and fitness.
A Kid's Carnival for children ages 5-12 will include making care packages for people in-need, families reading stories about Dr. King, crafts-making and testing real voting machines.
To wrap up the event, the Philadelphia Orchestra will perform its 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert in the chapel. The concert kicks off at 1:30 p.m.