“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
2019 MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 21, 2019
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Shaker Heights High School
Why Serve on MLK Day?
Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence. MLK Day of Service is a way to honor his life and teachings by engaging in community action that continues to solve social problems. Service breaks down barriers by bringing people from different experiences together—volunteering can unite Americans of all ages and backgrounds while building stronger communities. Learn more:
https://www.nationalservice.gov/serve-your-community/mlk-day-service
How Can You Help?
- Donate via PayForIt or PayPal – each dollar we raise means more resources for care kits, for blankets, for serving our community.
- Volunteer to help with prep work or be an activity leader on January 21st. There are many jobs and no experience is necessary. Click these links for the SignUpGenius for Grades PreK-8 or High School.
- Bring your clean shopping bags to the children’s desk at either Shaker library.
Service Activities for All Grades
- PreK-4th grade families will be making 100 fleece blankets to support teens at Bellefaire JCB and families at Family Promise. Bellefaire JCB’s Homeless and Missing Youth Program supports homeless, missing, and runaway youth who are in need of crisis intervention, possible respite and case management. Fleece blankets made by Shaker students will be shared with children and teens who enter the program. Students will also be making and bundling care messages with over 500 pairs of warm socks to be given to those in need.
- Students in grades 5-8 will be putting together care kits for children and teens to be distributed by the MetroHealth Foster Care Team. Since 2013, MetroHealth has worked with DCFS to provide timely, coordinated care for foster children in one safe and caring location. Coordinators make sure a foster child gets all of the care s/he needs—no exceptions. Care kits created today will be given to children who come into care or move homes, often abruptly and under very difficult circumstances. Grades 5-8 will also be making fleece scarves to be given to those in need and will also be making plarn (yarn created by cutting and tying together strips of plastic grocery bags) to be used by the High School group who will be making mats for the homeless.
- High School students, families, faculty and staff will interact with our Wall of Intention, use recycled bags to weave waterproof sleeping mats to be distributed by Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless; assemble 500 youth care kits for Bellefaire JCB’s Homeless and Missing Youth Program; collaborate on a BeLOVEd Community art project; and learn more about Dr. King’s legacy.
Other Activities to visit that morning:
- Children’s March for PreK-4 families, starting at 9 a.m. at Onaway School - CANCELED DUE TO FREEZING TEMPERATURES
- Performances in the large auditorium
- Bake Sales (check the hallways!) to benefit student groups
- Celebrity Readers sharing favorite books and games to play
- A collaborative art project in Eli Gallery
- A dance celebration from 12-12:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room
Parking:
We encourage you to carpool as much as possible as parking will be tricky. Feel free to park in any of the three High School lots, on the streets that surround the oval, side streets, or the Administration Building, Onaway or Woodbury lots.
A Special Thanks To:
We welcome everyone to get involved!