USC Students Marked King Day By Helping Others

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA - More than 70 students spent Martin Luther King Day performing a variety of service projects at the Community & Recreation Center at Boyce Mayview Park.

In what has become a tradition, Community Programs Coordinator Lynn Walcoff and other Community & Recreation Center employees organize the MLK Day of Service in Upper St. Clair each year. This year’s activities included
Coast Guard veteran Carly Beer helping kids make care packages and valentines for veterans at the VA Hospital.

"These cards are very, very special to the veterans. It reminds them of their own kids and grandkids when they were little," she said.. "I've gone to patients' rooms and they still have their valentines on display from last year. That's how much it means to them."

Regina Zelik of Upper St. Clair led a project to make blankets and pillowcases for Clairton Head Start, Family Services program, Ms. Cheryl's Daycare, Ms. Georgia Ford's Daycare and Little People Family Daycare Center.

"They will just love them," Zelik said.

The Pie Place owner Jessica Gombar managed a project to make 600 cookies for Pittsburgh homeless shelters. The students also made snuffle mats, dog toys and cat toys for Senior Pet and Animal Rescue (SPARR). Volunteers from the University of Pittsburgh, along with other older students from the area, helped all of the projects run smoothly.

Photos via Upper St. Clair Township.

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