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Community Gathers for District's Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Afternoon of Service
Collage of photos from Lower Merion School District’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Afternoon of Service. Images show students of various ages participating in service projects, including collecting children’s books for a book drive, creating handmade cards and artwork at tables, and smiling together in matching event T-shirts. One panel includes an illustrated graphic honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The photos highlight community, teamwork, and joyful participation across elementary, middle,

Students, staff, families and friends came together on Thursday, January 15, 2026, for the District’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Afternoon of Service, a beloved tradition held just ahead of the holiday weekend honoring the late civil rights leader. Hosted in the Harriton High School cafeteria, the event welcomed participants from across the District’s eleven schools for an afternoon of meaningful, hands-on service.

Inspired by Dr. King’s words, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve,” the event offered dozens of opportunities for students and families to give back to the community. Sponsored by student groups, Home & School Associations and parent organizations, the projects supported a wide range of local nonprofits, making it possible for participants of all ages to contribute in meaningful ways.

Throughout the event, guests worked side by side on activities such as rolling socks for The Giving Tree, sorting books for a Philadelphia elementary school, creating Sunshine cards for Sunrise Senior Living residents, and assembling hygiene kits for Philly House and Cradles to Crayons. Other projects included crafting thank-you cards for CHOP staff, making toys for animals at Main Line Animal Rescue, designing Dream Clouds to inspire LMSD students, and participating in CPR demonstrations with Simon’s Heart Foundation.

Participants also packed snack bags for Ronald McDonald House, created dental hygiene kits for individuals experiencing homelessness, decorated touchstones for Camp Erin, assembled winter-wear tote bags for Longstreth Elementary School in Philadelphia, and prepared Senior Snow Day bags for Meals on Wheels. Each project reflected the spirit of service that defines the event and brought Dr. King’s message to life in a tangible way.

New this year, Best Buddies from Lower Merion High School hosted a sensory room, offering a quieter, more calming environment for students who needed a break from the bustling cafeteria. The space allowed all participants to engage in service at their own pace, reinforcing the District’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

By the end of the afternoon, the cafeteria was filled not only with completed projects ready to be delivered to community partners, but also with a strong sense of connection, pride and purpose. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Afternoon of Service once again demonstrated the power of coming together to make a difference—one small act of kindness at a time.

LMSD extends its heartfelt thanks to all of the students, staff, families and community members who came out to participate, as well as the many volunteers who generously gave their time to help make the afternoon possible. From organizing activities and guiding participants to preparing materials and supporting each service station, these dedicated individuals played an essential role in the event’s success. Their commitment to service, compassion and community truly embodied the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy.

Click through the slideshow below to see highlights from throughout the event!

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An image of the front of the t-shirt for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event, featuring a large group portrait of individuals, likely civil rights leaders and activists, along with text promoting the event and its date of January 19, 2026.
The image shows a table with various items, including a sign for %22GLES HSA%22 and several people standing around the table.
A group of young people, likely students, are gathered around a table, engaged in a collaborative activity involving various colorful materials and electronic devices.
A group of students gathered around a table engaged in various activities and interactions.
The image shows a group of young people gathered around a table, with various food items and baked goods displayed in the foreground. The individuals are wearing t-shirts with printed text, and the background appears to be a classroom or similar setting.
A group of students and adults are gathered around a table, engaged in what appears to be a classroom or educational activity, with various supplies and materials visible on the table.
The image shows a sign for a non-profit called %22SMILE4 Philly%22 with cartoon teeth and a slogan %22Tiny Teeth. Healthy Smile. Happy City.%22
A group of young people are gathered around a table, working on creating animal adoption posters with various art supplies and images of animals.
A group of young people are engaged in various arts and crafts activities at a table, with a sign indicating it is a Ronald McDonald Club event.
A smiling woman stands in front of a display board promoting a scholarship program, holding a book in her hands.
A group of young women sitting at a table, working on various projects and activities, with a classroom-like setting in the background.
Principal Warshawer smiles for a photo with a student wearing a white t-shirt, are seated at a table with various art supplies and materials.
The image shows a table with a sign for %22Senior Snow Day Bags%22 and the Welsh Valley Middle School HSA logo, with several people gathered around the table, appearing to be preparing or distributing the bags.
The image shows a group of young people, likely students, working together on a project or activity. They appear to be cutting or manipulating blue fabric or material on a table in the foreground, while a crowd of other individuals can be seen in the background.
A young boy is sitting at a table surrounded by various food items, including sandwiches and snack boxes, in what appears to be a school or community setting with other people in the background.
The image shows two people, a person wearing a blue hat and another person in a gray sweater, sitting at a table and working on various art projects, with various art supplies and materials scattered around them.
A colorful and whimsical drawing on a white fabric, featuring various doodles and sketches, including flowers, butterflies, and other playful elements.
A group of young people wearing matching t-shirts, standing in a room filled with boxes and supplies, with an American flag visible in the background.
A young girl in a pink sweater is being comforted by an older woman in the foreground, while the background appears to be a crowded indoor setting.
The image shows a classroom setting with students engaged in various activities. In the foreground, a young woman wearing a t-shirt with a graphic design is standing near a table, while in the background, other students can be seen interacting and working on tasks.
The image shows a group of children engaged in an arts and crafts activity, with various art supplies and materials scattered on the table in front of them.
A group of young girls are gathered around a table, engaged in various arts and crafts activities, while adults in the background appear to be supervising or assisting them.
A group of young people, likely students, are gathered around a table, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative activity or discussion, with various materials and supplies visible on the table.
A group of children and adults gathered around a table, engaged in various arts and crafts activities, with supplies and materials scattered across the surface.
Three young people, two women and one man, are sitting at a table in what appears to be a school or library setting, surrounded by books and other academic materials.
A group of children sitting at tables, engaged in various activities and surrounded by adults who appear to be supervising or assisting them. The background suggests a classroom or community setting.
The image shows a group of people, including two women and several children, gathered around a display table in what appears to be a school or educational setting. The women are smiling and interacting with the children, who seem engaged with the materials on the table.
Two young children, a girl and a boy, are sitting on the floor and engaged in an activity together, with various toys and materials surrounding them. The background appears to be a classroom or educational setting, with colorful posters and decorations visible.
The image shows a group of young students sitting at desks, engaged in what appears to be a classroom activity or lesson. The foreground features two students, one with long blonde hair and the other with dark hair, intently focused on their work.
The image shows a group of people, including a young child, standing in a hallway with yellow and white floor tiles. The child appears to be engaged in some kind of activity or game, while the other individuals are observing or interacting with the child.
A woman in a burgundy jacket is assisting two young boys who are sitting at a table and working on various art supplies and materials in a classroom setting.
The image shows a group of people, including a young man wearing a blue shirt, a young woman in a white dress, and another young man, gathered around a table with various toys and objects on it.
A group of young people, some sitting and some standing, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative activity or discussion in a classroom-like setting.
A group of young people, mostly women, are gathered around a table, engaged in various activities such as crafting and socializing, while a larger crowd can be seen in the background.
Two young girls are sitting at a table, engaged in an arts and crafts activity. They appear to be painting or decorating paper cutouts, with various art supplies and materials visible on the table in front of them.
A young girl with curly blonde hair is sitting at a table, intently focused on creating something with various stickers and art supplies in front of her. The background appears to be a classroom or educational setting, with other students and adults visible.
A young boy is intently focused on creating an art project, with various art supplies and materials spread out on the table in front of him.
The image shows various plastic bags filled with what appear to be personal belongings or items, with handwritten labels on some of the bags.
The image shows a group of young people, likely students, sitting at a table and engaging in some kind of activity or discussion. They appear to be in a classroom or educational setting, with other students visible in the background.
A group of young people, mostly teenagers, gathered around a table, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative activity or discussion.
A young girl with braided hair sits at a table, focused on her artwork, while other children can be seen in the background engaged in various activities in what appears to be a classroom setting.
A young girl with curly hair is intently focused on coloring and drawing on a piece of paper surrounded by various art supplies on a table.
A person with dreadlocks is intently focused on drawing or writing on a large sheet of paper on a table in what appears to be a classroom or workspace setting.
Two young women wearing white t-shirts with a printed image and text are standing in a room with other people, some of whom are seated at tables.
A young man with curly hair wearing a %22New York%22 sweatshirt is intently focused on a task, surrounded by various art supplies on a table.
A smiling woman and a young girl holding a t-shirt with a graphic design in a crowded indoor setting.
The image shows a display of various items, including yellow squeeze bottles, blue and yellow ribbons, and a sign indicating a %22Starfish Project%22 by HHS, NHS, and LMHS.
A young man wearing a striped shirt and a yellow bow tie is sitting at a table, holding a colorful drawing in his hands, surrounded by other students in a classroom setting.
The image shows a group of people, likely students, gathered around a table and engaged in some kind of hands-on activity or project. In the foreground, two individuals can be seen working on what appears to be a craft or art project, with various materials and supplies visible on the table.
Two smiling women, one older and one younger, are engaged in a conversation in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting, with desks and chairs visible in the background.
Four young women standing together in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting, with shelves and other items visible in the background.
The image shows a group of people, including two adults and two children, standing in what appears to be a school hallway or classroom setting. The adults are engaged in conversation, while the children are holding what seem to be school supplies or projects.
The image shows a display of winter accessories, including a %22Bundles of Warmth%22 sign and a %22Hats%22 sign, with a person in the background.
A transparent storage container filled with various colored and textured clothing items, including black, yellow, and brown garments, is visible in the image.
A group of smiling young people sitting around a table, surrounded by various art supplies and materials, suggesting an artistic or creative activity taking place in a school or educational setting.
A group of people, including adults and children, are standing together in what appears to be a school or community setting, with various decorations and signage visible in the background.
A group of people, including several women, are gathered around a table in what appears to be a school or community setting, engaged in various activities and interactions.
The image shows a book drive event, with several young people holding children's books and standing in front of a display table with more books and a %22Book Drive%22 sign.
Two young women are sitting at a table displaying various items, including a sign that says %22Lower Merion HSA%22. They appear to be engaged in some kind of activity or event.
The image shows a group of children engaged in a hands-on learning activity, with various toys and educational materials scattered on the floor in a classroom setting.
The image shows three young people, two females and one male, standing together and smiling at the camera. They appear to be in a school or educational setting, with a tiled floor and shelves visible in the background.
The image shows three young people, likely students, standing in front of a table displaying books and other educational materials as part of a book drive event.
Two young children, a boy and a girl, are smiling and wearing t-shirts with images of Martin Luther King Jr. The background appears to be a cluttered room with various toys and items.
Two young men wearing shirts with a Martin Luther King Jr. graphic and text are standing in front of a glass building.
A young girl in a white sweater is intently focused on creating something with colorful art supplies on a table in front of her.
Two young women wearing t-shirts with historical images and text are smiling and standing in what appears to be a school or educational setting.
Two young individuals wearing t-shirts with Martin Luther King Jr. imagery are examining something on a table in what appears to be a school or educational setting.
A colorful assortment of handmade, painted stones or pebbles in various shapes and sizes, arranged in a pile on a light-colored fabric or surface.
Students stand by a red table with donated food
Students stand by a red table with donated food

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