In Radnor, Treating a Day Off Like a Day On

Radnor Township Schools will not be in session Monday, but many students will still show up to participate in a day of service in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

The district’s annual day of service is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Jan. 19, at both Wayne Elementary School and Radnor Middle School.

“All schools will be closed in observance of the holiday, but student and parent volunteers will offer their free time to participate in a variety of charitable projects,” the district said.

At Wayne Elementary School, the district said, service projects will include:

• sorting book donations for Philly Reads;
• decorating socks for young patients at CHOP;
• assembling snack bags for Wayne Senior Center;
• decorating thank-you cards for the Delaware County SPCA;
• and assembling bags of toiletries and art/school supplies for homeless children at Trevor’s Campaign.

“This year will also offer a new and exciting “exercise” area which will have contests for the children, the district said. “Each game will require a $1 ticket to play. All of the proceeds will go directly to the targeted charities for our day.”

Wayne Elementary School is seeking the following donations, which can be dropped off through Friday, Jan. 16, or brought with you on Monday:

• gently used books (for toddlers to young adults) for Philly Reads;
• gently used clothing and shoes for Cradles to Crayons;
• hotel toiletry and school/art supplies to benefit the homeless children of Trevor’s Campaign;
• gently used or new gloves, hats, scarves and mittens;
• and nut-free cakes, baked goods and candy for the Cake/Candy Walk to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and a bake sale to benefit the Radnor ABC House.

For more information or to volunteer at the elementary school event, contact Jessica Waltman or Kathy Mair.

At Radnor Middle School, the district said, service projects include:

• making valentines for the troops;
• baking cookies and making sandwiches for the homeless;
• and making and decorating boxes of small toys and crafts for patients at CHOP.

There will also be a foul-shot competition, the district said. Participants will pay $1 for five foul shots, with the money going to Doctors Without Borders.

Radnor Middle School is seeking the following donations, which can be dropped off through Friday, Jan. 16, or brought with you on Monday:

• new full-size toiletries (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.) for People’s Emergency Center Shelter;
• new travel-sized toiletries for Hugs for Heroes;
• new small toys, crayons, markers, play dough, stickers, card games, matchbox cars, bubbles and writing journals for patients at CHOP;
• gently used shoe boxes to decorate and ship travel-sized toiletries to troops overseas for Hugs for Heroes;
• and gently used children’s shoes, books and coats for Cradles to Crayons.

If you are unable to donate items, you may give a cash donation to the MLK fund, the district said. Checks can be made payable to RMS PTO; note “MLK Day” in the memo area.

For additional information or to volunteer at the middle school event, contact Michele Hunn or Rachel Ebby-Rosin.