You’re never too young – or too old – to learn valuable lifelong lessons like the importance of being respectful, kind and accepting of others.
Those lessons were imparted through the power of books as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service held at Fountain Hill Elementary School on Friday, Jan. 17.
Eleven PPL volunteers and Moravian College students read books and did a related activity with youngsters in grades K-5. Each student was given a brand-new book to keep and take home, courtesy of the PPL Foundation.
Books included: “Pete the Cat and the New Guy,” “Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are,” and “Wonder.” The stories wove themes of kindness, tolerance, acceptance and respect – all reflective of Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision.
It was a day of firsts for Supervisor-Protection & Control John Bannon: It was his first time to volunteer and the first time he was back in the halls of Fountain Hill where he attended school as a youngster.
“There was quite a bit of nostalgia even though it was 25 years since I was last in the building. There were definitely some familiar things that sparked memories,” Bannon said.
Judging from the rapt attention on the children’s faces and wild applause, students were very appreciative of the volunteers and their new books.
Fountain Hill teachers and staff were equally thankful.
“Books (especially brand-new ones) are like treasure to Fountain Hill students! The books donated this year included such positive and important messages about friendship, respect, kindness and hope, making the contribution and our Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration even more significant and meaningful,” said Paige Hoffman, community school director at Fountain Hill.
“The generosity of PPL is astounding, and we could not be more appreciative of their support of our students and school,” Hoffman said.
