L&I's PennSERVE Sends Volunteers to Martin Luther King Day of Service Events Across Commonwealth

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Monday, the PA Department of Labor & Industry's (L&I) PennSERVE program area joined thousands of Pennsylvanians taking part in the Martin Luther King Day of Service by dispersing AmeriCorps members to community service projects throughout the commonwealth.

"Martin Luther King Day of Service is a busy and exciting time for our PennSERVE office and thousands of volunteers across the commonwealth," said L&I Secretary Kathy Manderino. "As Dr. King said, 'injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,' and we are proud to house PennSERVE, which accomplished such great work to combat injustice on Monday, and consistently does so much to combat injustices in Pennsylvania every day." 

In Philadelphia, more than 400 PennSERVE AmeriCorps members joined over 1000 community volunteers to help turn area schools into more engaging, educational and vibrant places for students to learn and play. Service projects included painting murals and accents, light construction, and workshops for area youth.  

In Allegheny County, more than 60 AmeriCorps members knitted hats for babies, made flowers for the Carnegie Library, and created puzzle books for patients at Allegheny General Hospital. AmeriCorps members also went out into the Pittsburgh community to complete several service projects including cooking and serving breakfast at Northside Common Ministries, assisting senior citizens, cleaning and maintenance with the Homewood YMCA, and sorting and packaging medical supplies with Global Links.

In other regions of the state, PennSERVE helped coordinate and disperse more than 1000 AmeriCorps volunteers to service projects, effectively joining thousands of other local volunteers as they worked to improve their respective communities.

PennSERVE is Pennsylvania's umbrella agency for volunteerism and community service initiatives throughout the commonwealth. Housed in the Department of Labor & Industry, PennSERVE is the administrative entity charged with monitoring and overseeing the AmeriCorps state programs in Pennsylvania. By distributing AmeriCorps resources across the state, PennSERVE seeks to help citizens improve the quality of life in their communities through innovative and effective volunteer service programs.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Sara Goulet, 717-787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us