The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District marked the legacy and message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with their annual Day of Service on Jan. 16.
Students across the district organized donation drives to benefit local shelters and human services organizations, including the district-run food pantry, the Community Cupboard.
More than 2,000 books collected at Wellington C. Mepham High School were donated to the Book Fairies. Merrick Avenue Middle School collected 4,000 food pantry items. Grand Avenue Middle School filled more than 50 boxes of donations, filling an entire pallet. John F. Kennedy High School filled more than 100 bags with hygiene items.
Service became a weeklong event in Bellmore-Merrick this year thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Ambassadors, the Leadership students, and the “One Voice, One Message.”
With messages of peace, unity and acceptance, students learned about Dr. King’s messages in social studies and other classes and spread the word themselves.
“On Monday, Jan. 10, the students learned about Dr. King and other change makers in a period-long lesson taught by the Leadership students in the high schools and the social studies teachers in the middle schools,” explained Mepham social studies chairperson and lead organizer Robyn Einbinder.
They also saw inspirational quotes by Dr. King posted around the buildings. On Jan. 18, students viewed an interview conducted by BMB with Legis. Steve Rhoads about the importance of service and how young people can make a difference.
“On Wednesday, students paid compliments to one another through a Post-It note or index card activity,” added Einbinder. “On Thursday, students wore orange ribbon stickers to promote service. And on Friday, each building packaged the items that they had collected — nonperishable foods, wellness goods, toiletries or books.”
Students also wore different colors throughout the week to signify acceptance and unity.
“We are very proud of what our students accomplished,” added Einbinder.
Photo captions:
- Grand Avenue Middle School filled more than 60 boxes of donations, filling an entire pallet.
- Students at Merrick Avenue Middle School packed up donations.
- Mepham juniors Charlie Leo, Sean Seligman and Nick Walker organized book donations along with Superintendent Michael Harrington.
- Mepham junior leadership students along with Assistant Superintendent Scott Bersin, Mepham social studies chairperson and lead organizer Robyn Einbinder, social studies teacher Jacqueline Geller and Assistant Principal Chris Safina.
- Assistant Principal Anthony DeMartinis and social studies chairperson Christina Cone work with Calhoun students
- Assistant Superintendent Scott Bersin, Calhoun leadership teacher Brian Joyce, English chairperson Kim Serpe and student Dan Allen organized pantry donations.
- Students at Kennedy made care packages consisting of hygiene items for local human services organizations.
Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
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