On Monday, January 20, 2014 The Waldorf School of Philadelphia (WSP) is partnering on a service project to benefit the East Germantown non-profit, Face to Face – a multi-service organization that offers free human services to more than 2,500 low income and homeless individuals and families each year.

Volunteers from the Waldorf school community as well as anyone who signs up on the 19th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service website (www.mlkdayofservice.org) are invited to participate in the volunteer activities on 1/20/14 starting at 9 a.m. and concluding by 12:30 p.m.

We will gather together for an opening assembly in the school’s auditorium to give thanks and to reflect on the legacy of Dr King. The faculty at The Waldorf School of Philadelphia have prepared a puppet play geared toward the younger participants as well as songs from the grade school student’s and teachers’ that all commemorate Dr. King’s work and contain his message of peace and justice, courage and love. Face-to-Face Executive Director, Mary Kay Meeks, will say a few words on behalf of the Face to Face community.

Grade school classrooms of The Waldorf School of Philadelphia will be buzzing with volunteers packaging bags of toiletries for the guests of Face to Face to use, many of the contents of which have been donated by generous local pharmacies or families at The Waldorf School of Philadelphia. The early childhood (Pre-K and Kindergarten) classrooms will be filled with volunteers of all ages making “Kindergarten Soup” for which Waldorf Schools are well known – whereby each volunteer will bring in a vegetable to share and the collective bounty of vegetables is then turned into an eclectic, delicious and nutritious soup.

This year’s day of service at The Waldorf School of Philadelphia is being organized by WSP parent Diana DuHaime. Diana invites us to lend a hand by joining hands - no matter race, age, ability, or financial status – so that together we may shine our light upon the greater community. Diana challenges us to do more than give, but let us receive this ability to see our light in the world around us and make those involved shine brighter. Let us take Dr. King’s light and keep it shining bright.

Founded in 1996 and located in Mt Airy, The Waldorf School of Philadelphia offers a rich and vibrant education that meets the needs of developing children in grades pre-K through 8th grade. To learn how you can participate in the volunteer activities for the MLK Day of Service and beyond, please contact the Director of Development, Allison Budschalow, development@phillywaldorf.com.