Waubonsie Valley planning MLK Day of Service

Organizers of the second annual MLK Day of Service at Aurora's Waubonsie Valley High School hope the community turns out for an afternoon of helping others.

The event on Monday, Jan. 20, is sponsored by Waubonsie and a parent group, Parents Advocating for the Greater Enrichment of African American Students.

Last year's event drew more than 100 parents and students from Waubonsie and Fisher Middle School.

"We wanted to step it up this year," said Marian Banks, vice president of PAGES.

New this time, the MLK Day of Service is opening its doors to the community to allow more people to get involved.

"We're hoping for the best, so we hope we get at least between 200 and 250 people," Banks said.

She said volunteers will find various stations where they are tasked with, among other things, making blessing bags for the homeless, decorating cards for cancer patients and writing letters for our troops.

"Our whole purpose was to make the day more about service, not just a day off," Waubonsie Principal Jason Stipp said.

Several community organizations are expected to benefit from the event, including Hesed House, Phil's Friends, Operation Support Our Troops, Wayside Cross Ministries and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.

Entertainment will be available along with remarks from Scot Thurman, director of youth services for Aurora Township, and Regina Brent, who heads the Unity Partnership that works to improve communication between police and minority communities.

Stipp said several students also will share a few words during the program.

The Day of Service starts at noon and runs through 3 p.m. in the Waubonsie cafeteria, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora.

For details, visit wvpages.org.