While the push to make Martin Luther King Jr. an official day off for many workers is likely appreciated by said workers (and many students), we think it obvious that the tradition that best reflects King’s life and work is the Day of Service.
It is common for schools, companies and various organizations to either arrange, host or encourage participation in a day of service to honor King. Tuesday’s paper included coverage of one successful and worthy event at the Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston called “Blankets and Broth.”
Right off the bat there was something very MLK-like in the joining of forces just to make it happen. This was a collaboration of the JCC, O’Donnell Law firm, The Luzerne County/Wilkes-Barre NAACP Branch 2306 and the Wilkes-Barre Health Department (full disclosure: The Times Leader was a media sponsor).
Visitors, volunteers and others donated to a steadily-growing pile of non-perishable foods — including soup, the “Broth” of the event title — for the JCC food pantry, Sara’s Table.
And the blankets part? You may by now be familiar with a relatively recent way of making blankets without quite loading up and working a loom, pulling out a sewing machine or otherwise weaving threads together. Large pieces of fleece, typically of different colors or patterns, are laid on top of each other on a table. You cut numerous fringes of equal length and location into both layers, then tie corresponding fringes together in knots.
Volunteers worked, typically four or five at each of 16 tables, assembling blankets thus, and MLK’s vision played out in the mix of people. Retirees, children and everyone in between who wanted to help could. Some tables included entire families working together, turning it both into a family activity and a potential teaching moment.
At age 4, Kendyl Hooks found the knot tying a bit beyond her developing motor skills, so dad Bryan helped her. Kendyl clapped her hands in delight at the outcome.
“I’m having a blast,” Debbie Skripkunis of Exeter said, having participated because she “wanted to do something special for Martin Luther King Day.”
“I’m loving it,” said Johanna Perez-Shovlin. “I could do this all day.”
“We’re overwhelmed by the response,” event chairperson Catherine O’Donnell, an attorney from the O’Donnell Law Firm, said. “Tonight, these blankets will be keeping people warm.” The comfy covers were donated to three area shelters: the Kirby Family House, Ruth’s Place and Keystone Mission.
But the quote from the story that best expressed the spirit of the man being commemorated on Monday came from Daryl Lewis.
“This community cares about its family and neighbors. Maybe if we all keep coming together and do a little bit to help those in need, maybe something of (Martin Luther King’s) dream will become a reality.”
It is easy and often that someone quotes King’s most famous phrase of “I have a dream.” But dreams are only fulfilled with real-world action. This was a bit of a dream accomplished.
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