In a citywide tribute on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, January 15, the City of Coatesville will host a day of public events, headlined by a peaceful reenactment of the historic Selma to Montgomery March (March 7, 1965).
The public is invited to participate in the march, assembling at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of 1st and Lincoln Highway (the “Flats”). Coatesville City Council President Linda Lavender-Norris and Pastor Rob Marshall of New Life In Christ Fellowship (NLICF) will address the public with a message of prayer and instruction for the march. The march will start at 9:30 a.m., proceed through the center of the City on Lincoln Highway, and end at NLICF at 1 South 5th Avenue.
Judge Greg Hines will sing “Old Freedom”, and Pastor Dan Williams, in character as Pastor Hosea Williams, will introduce Pastor Michael Harris (Passtown Church) who will depict the character of Martin Luther King Jr. and deliver his iconic I Have A Dream speech.
A Soul Food Brunch will be provided by the Community Youth and Women’s Alliance Food Program (CYWA), headed by Rodger Wayne, at 423 Lincoln Highway. There, 24 pastors appearing in character as Freedom Riders will introduce themselves and reveal how they each impacted history. A screening of the film Rustin, which focuses on civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, will follow.
“It has been an honor to work with Roger Wayne and Pastor Rob Marshall to organize this significant day of service,” says Lavender-Norris. “With the help and dedication of two dozen pastors and their congregations from around the region, we will provide meaningful education and create a spirit of unity within our community.”
At the conclusion of the morning’s events, participants, volunteers and visitors will congregate at the east end of town to assist with preparing care packages.
Starting at 9:00 a.m. and throughout the day, volunteers are invited to the W.C. Atkinson Memorial Community Service Center, 822 E. Chestnut Street, to help prepare care packages for veterans experiencing homelessness. In addition, volunteers may choose to write notes of encouragement that will be included in each package. The activity is being coordinated by the Minority Nurse Educators of Chester County and Pastor Montez Jones. The Coatesville VA Medical Center (VAMC) Office of Volunteer Services will distribute the packages.
Donations of items can be delivered to the Atkinson Memorial Community Center between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Donations of washcloths, plastic ponchos, bottled water, small bars of soap, warm socks for men and women, hand warmers, individually packaged food and snacks, powdered hydration such as Gatorade, and plastic zipped bags of various sizes are appreciated. Individuals and groups are also welcome to assemble care packages and drop them off for delivery. To participate, register for “300 Care Packages” at globalcitizen365.org or call 610-380-6193 for information.
January 15th will mark the culmination of two weeks of work provided by supervised volunteers and skilled laborers who will have fully renovated a three-bedroom house. The work that began with complete demolition will be celebrated during an open house to establish it as a Supportive Permanent Home for three men currently seeking permanent housing. Volunteers may register to assist in the house raising through January 15th. Volunteers should meet at 743 Merchant Street at 9:00 a.m. on the day they register to volunteer. Register for “House Raising” on GlobalCitizen365.org.
“When there is a call to action, our community responds,” says Minnie McNeil, Vice President of the Board of Directors, W.C. Atkinson Memorial Community Service Center and lifelong community member. “It is this type of overarching response that inspired Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, and our collective service in action honors his dream.”
