Kent Place Celebrates Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Community-Wide Day of Service

In the spirit of honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Kent Place School celebrated its annual Diversity, Equity, and Parent Group (DEPG) Community-Wide Day of Service with enthusiasm and compassion. The event, despite freezing temperatures, saw the coming together of more than 200 of our Kent Place family to contribute to various initiatives that make an impact.

Service in the Cold
One of the remarkable efforts during the day was the packing of “snow day” meals at Grace Food Pantry, in Summit. The goal was to ensure that children don’t face food insecurity when schools are closed due to inclement weather. The community also worked at the school, producing 150 meals for the homeless through Bridges Outreach.

Supporting Those in Transition
Participants dedicated their time to creating 120 beauty bags filled with various hygiene items for individuals transitioning from homelessness at Family Promise Essex and Isaiah House. In addition, 60 bags of toothbrushes and toothpaste, along with 250 bags of menstrual products, were assembled for Grace.

Creative Acts Inspired by Dr. King
In the spirit of fostering creativity, PS students and their siblings engaged in crafting activities, making bookmarks and luminaries inspired by the words and actions of Dr. King. These artistic endeavors added a personal touch and warmth to the day’s activities.

Sweet Contributions
Community volunteers extended their generosity by baking more than 350 delicious desserts at home for Bridges Outreach, to accompany the meals provided. This thoughtful addition brought an element of sweetness to those in need.

Gifts of Support
As an additional act of kindness, the community donated gift cards to teenagers living at Isaiah House, providing acknowledgment and support to those in transitional phases of their lives.

Heartfelt Thanks
The success of the day was made possible by the dedication and hard work of the event chairs, Allison Rosefort P ’32 ’34, Marsha Williams P ’31, and Jeanne Gordon P ’25 and committee, who orchestrated the various activities. 

“A special thank-you to everyone who planned, donated, and volunteered,” said Mrs. Gordon. “Your collective efforts brought light and love far beyond the Kent Place community, creating a positive impact that resonated far and wide.”