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Pascack Valley reports 185 students volunteered for MLK Beloved Community Day of Service
Summary
District administrators said MLK Beloved Community Day involved 185 student volunteers across 25 sites and included events from sandwich-making for shelters to a sensory carnival, and staff thanked organizers and student leaders.
Dr. Russo told the Pascack Valley Regional High School District board on Jan. 27 that the district’s third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Day of Service drew unusually strong participation despite snow and cold weather.
The district said 185 students signed up across 25 volunteer sites on Jan. 20, about double participation from the prior year. Volunteers worked at Hills, Valley and community locations performing tasks ranging from sandwich-making for shelters to clearing trails and staffing a sensory carnival.
Nut graf: District leaders described the day as an effort to foster collaboration among students, staff and community organizations, and they credited a sizable student turnout and many site leaders for making the event successful.
Highlights and organizers’ notes Dr. Russo singled out the district’s range of volunteer sites: sandwich-making for the Hoboken Shelter and the Center for Food Action, no-sew blankets for pediatric patients at Valley Hospital, a Veterans Breakfast, Operation Gratitude knitting and a sensory carnival at Pascack Hills that drew more than 75 volunteers. Several students and staff were recognized for site leadership and planning.
“Despite being an off day for students, we had 185 students sign up to volunteer, which is more than double our number from last year,” Dr. Russo said. He thanked staff leads, site leaders and the students who came out in poor weather.
Student reflections Dr. Russo read selected student feedback collected after the event: one student said participating helped them “give back to community,” another said working alongside faculty “showed a sense of community” and that adult participation made the experience more meaningful.
Acknowledgments and next steps Dr. Russo thanked district staff including Erica Franceschi, described in the presentation as the day’s driving force, and other site leaders for organizing the day. Board members praised the event and speakers called for continued expansion of participation.
Ending: Board members and presenters characterized the day as a growing tradition and asked the district to keep building partnerships that expand student volunteer opportunities.
