'A Day On, Not a Day Off': MHS Students Volunteer Locally on MLK Day

Heeding the president's call for "a day on, not a day off," 110 Mamaroneck High School (MHS) students will utilize Martin Luther King, Jr.'s (MLK) birthday as a day of service to the organzations that help the poor, the vulnerable and the elderly in the Larchmont-Mamaroneck community.

The initiative started several years ago at the high school, said Mamaroneck Schools Spokesperson Debbie Manetta, and has now become an annual event. It is based on a broader legislation by Congress in 1994 that designated MLK Day as a day of service, the only federal holiday with this title.

Part of the federal volunteer initiative United We Serve, the "day of service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems."

Students will participate in the following volunteer activities:

• Food Drive for Larchmont-Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force at Stop & Shop– Collect and bag donated items. 
• Make 400 PB&J sandwiches for Hope Soup Kitchen, New Rochelle and Grace Church food pantry in White Plains at the Larchmont Temple kitchen. 
• Sarah Neuman Nursing Home– Friendly visits with residents.  
• CAP Center -  Students will greet visitors, hand out flyers, help with art project and take photos as part of a community outreach event.
• Golden Shoestring (thrift store of the Junior League of Westchester) - Sort clothing.
• Cards for a Cause (MHS club) – Make cards for Sarah Neuman residents at the Larchmont Temple.
• Red Cross Club (MHS club) – Distribute emergency preparedness and fire safety pamphlets around the Village of Mamaroneck.
• ECO-Club (MHS club) – Clean-up around MHS.