More than 50 Penn State students from five campuses took their day off from classes to make it a "day on" for the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 21. The 2019 Penn State New Kensington-hosted event featured volunteerism at six organizations in the Alle-Kiski Valley. In addition to New Kensington, participating campuses included Beaver, Fayette, Greater Allegheny and World Campus.
2019 MLK Jr. Day of Service - Rachel Carson Homestead
Bradyn Claycomb of Penn State New Kensington (left) and Wes Nixon of Penn State Fayette (right) move items in the basement of the Rachel Carson Homestead in Springdale, Pa. Penn State student volunteers helped clean, paint and move items for the Rachel Carson Homestead in Springdale, Pa.
IMAGE: Rebecca Dietrich2019 MLK Jr. Day of Service - Salvation Army New Kensington 1
Drew Kessler of Penn State Beaver smiles as he volunteers at the Salvation Army in New Kensington. The organization hosted a group of Penn State students who helped clear out rooms and sort clothing donations.
IMAGE: Rebecca Dietrich2019 MLK Jr. Day of Service - Peoples Library
Students assisted the Peoples Library in New Kensington with sorting books and organizing.
IMAGE: Rebecca Dietrich2019 MLK Jr. Day of Service - Alle-Kiski Heritage Museum 1
Julie Fitzgerald of Penn State World Campus helps move books and items at the Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society and Heritage Museum. Volunteers helped the Alle-Kiski Historical Society and Heritage Museum in Tarentum, Pa. with cleaning rooms and organizing and moving items
IMAGE: Rebecca Dietrich2019 MLK Jr. Day of Service - Alle-Kiski Heritage Museum 2
“A lot of people just spend the day at home because it’s an off day, but doing this, gives you the opportunity to really help and communicate with different people," said Tylai Smith of Penn State Beaver.
IMAGE: Rebecca Dietrich2019 MLK Jr. Day of Caring - Keynote Address
"I made volunteering a crucial part of my life," said Lt. Phillip Davies of the Salvation Army in New Kensington. Davies provided the keynote address for the event.
IMAGE: Rebecca Dietrich2019 MLK Jr. Day of Service - New Kensington Salvation Army
Zelma Daye of Penn State Beaver sorts clothing at the Salvation Army in New Kensington during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 2019. More than 50 students from five campuses participated. The 2019 event was organized by Penn State New Kensington.
IMAGE: Rebecca Dietrich2019 MLK Jr. Day of Service - Rachel Carson Homestead 2
A Penn State student paints the ceiling of the Rachel Carson Homestead during the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 21. More than 50 students from 5 Penn State campuses participated. The 2019 event was sponsored by Penn State New Kensington.
IMAGE: Rebecca Dietrich