Penn State New Kensington, in conjunction with the local community, is celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a daylong commemoration that includes a volunteer fair.
The Unity Day Non-Profit Volunteer Fair runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the campus’ Forum Theatre and the main entrance lobbies. Charitable groups will set up booths to talk about the community service opportunities available at the organizations. Alle-Kiski Hope Center, American Red Cross, Westmoreland County Food Bank and Faith in Action are a few of the organizations that will share volunteering options in the local community.
“The goal of the fair is to provide students and community members with volunteer opportunities by connecting them to local nonprofit organizations,” said Theresa Bonk, director of student affairs at the campus.
After the fair, the campus’ fourth annual tribute to King’s life, titled “Celebration of Unity,” will progress into the evening. Activities include a movie, panel discussion, musical performances, pot luck dinner and lighting of the unity candle. All events are free to the public.
The film, “42: The Jackie Robinson Story,” will be screened at 2 p.m. in Café 780. The movie focuses on the two years after Robinson became the first African-American to play major league baseball. A panel discussion will follow the film. Craig Hammond, assistant professor of history at the campus, will lead a discussion about the movie, which will be shown again at 7:30 p.m. in the Forum Theatre.
The MLK celebration continues from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Conference Center. The featured events are a pot luck dinner and lighting of the unity candle by members of the campus, community, local businesses and neighborhood churches. Musical performances by local artists will follow the dinner.
Nonprofits in the Alle-Kiski Valley are encouraged to participate in the fair to showcase their volunteer opportunities. For more information, call 724-334-6062.