January 18, 2016, 8:30am – 2:00pm

Since 1999, the GSFS Parents Association has organized an extraordinary day of service on MLK Day. The morning presents a wonderful opportunity for alumni and their family members to return to campus and to help the community. Whether you are a high school student who needs service hours for a graduation requirement or just someone who wants to help, you are encouraged to take part. This year’s event is being organized by Barbara Dews, a GSFS parent and Pre-K Teaching Associate.

Longstanding Projects

With twelve projects in the works, and nearly all of them on-site at GSFS, Greene Street Friends School has one of the largest service sites in Philadelphia. Some are longtime favorites, such as the Breakfast Bags for Aid for Friends. The bags go to the needy as well as those who are isolated and are shut-ins in the five county greater Philadelphia area.

There is also the Greene Street Friends American Red Cross Blood Drive. Alumni age 17 and older who weigh at least 110 lbs can participate. Last year’s drive collected 43 pints of blood, and we hope this year’s drive will be even more successful. After the holidays, supplies of blood dwindle, so this drive is really important. Click Here to Schedule an Appointment or call Jacob Fisher at 215-594-8827. Not sure if you’re eligible?  Click Here

Toiletry bags will be assembled for distribution by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). These kits are distributed around the world. According to the MCC website, “Multiple situations of crisis around the world such as Syria, Iraq, Gaza and Ukraine have depleted MCC's warehouse inventory.”

Art teacher Marie Huard will once again lead the gift bag project of Cradles to Crayons. Take some time to decorate a gift bag using kente cloth inspired designs.

Opportunities to Be Creative

There are several crafts making projects. One benefits a local nursing home, one for patients at St. Christopher’s Hospital and one making cat and dog toys for the PSPCA. You can also glaze a bowl for the Empty Bowl Project, an international grassroots effort that seeks to end hunger, or you can fashion one or more bunnies made from clay which will later be sold to benefit Dawn’s Place, an organization that helps protect girls from sex trafficking.

For the second year, there will be a community cleanup of Linglebach School. Last year’s cleanup included painting and scrubbing bathrooms, please dress appropriately. This project is several blocks from GSFS, so be prepared to walk.

New Initiatives

There are also two new initiatives this year as part of Greene Street Friends School’s celebration of equality. Third grade teacher Erica Snowden will be leading a self-portrait activity. Participants will be shown how to match their skin tone by mixing paint and can create a painted self-portrait on a square of paper. These squares will later be assembled into a banner. If you are in middle school or high school and able to help with this project, please be in touch with Erica: esnowden@greenestreetfriends.org.

Later in the morning there will be a discussion of equality, race, and inclusion, led by Erica Snowden and Kiri Harris. Greene Street Friends has already held discussions with faculty, parents and grandparents. What will make this discussion meaningful is that participants of all ages will be able to come together to share thoughts on this important topic and we hope you will plan to take part.

For more information or to request documentation of community service hours, please email eharmar@greenestreetfriends.org.