The annual Day of Service draws more than 100 volunteers
In a 1968 sermon by Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights activist said, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve … You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”
Nearly 50 years later, those words rang true at Haddonfield First Presbyterian Church, where more than 100 volunteers came together for a Day of Service in King’s honor.
“Particularly today in our present political climate, the day has actually grown in importance in remembering (King’s) mission,” First Presbyterian Pastor Bill Getman said, “and, if only in small ways, trying to fulfill it.”
The Haddonfield Council of Churches — an ecumenical partnership between the borough’s religious institutions — offers a number of ministry and outreach opportunities throughout the year, but the Day of Service is its only service project, according to Getman. It has been held for about 20 years.
“It’s been a great way for the churches in town to work together,” Getman said, adding the event draws around 125–150 people. “We always have way more people than we do places to go. It’s a nice problem to have.”
Volunteers ranged from babies to seniors. At 8 months old, little Allie Hall was the youngest volunteer in attendance. The Hall family believes in instilling an understanding of helping others from a young age, which is why parents Ryan and Kim, along with grammy Joyce Stout, brought Allie and her big brothers Matty, 4, and Mikey, 2, to volunteer. The boys attend school at First Presbyterian, where they learn about helping others and the impact of Martin Luther King, Jr.
“We’re trying to live what they learn,” Ryan said. “We try to encourage them to give back, to try to be an active participant in the community.”
There was no shortage of young people volunteering, with many other families bringing their children along and a number of high school- and college-aged youth taking part. Director of Christian formation at Grace Church Betsy Murphy said the event always draws a young crowd.
“It’s important for our kids to spend a day doing things for others,” Murphy said. “I think a lot of them want to make a difference in the world, and it’s important we provide them with that opportunity.”
Haddonfield Memorial High School senior Briana Gess, 18, has been taking part in the Day of Service since middle school. While she is a member of First Presbyterian, she appreciates the service day draws people from throughout the community.
“I think as long as people are still helping other people and willing to help other people, it makes everyone happier,” Gess said. “It sounds cliché, but it makes the world a better place.”
This year, volunteers departed to a number of destinations, from visiting residents at Arista Care in Cherry Hill to organizing the food pantry at Touch New Jersey in Camden. Some volunteers took part in a project at Voorhees’ Animal Welfare Association, while still others headed off to clean up Haddonfield parks.
A handful of volunteers stayed right at First Presbyterian, warming up its kitchen with meals for the homeless. Local churches volunteer to house homeless men through the Camden-based Interfaith Homeless Outreach Committee on a rotating schedule, and the Adkins and Andrews families worked together to make and freeze casseroles for when the men stay at First Presbyterian.
“Our kids have so much. They have more than they could ever need, and we’re grateful for that,” Trish Adkins said, “but the world needs so much.”
Adkins and her mother, Priscilla Carrington, brought kids Lily, 10, Chloe, 7, and Nicholas, 4, to volunteer alongside friend Val Andrews and her children MJ, 5, and 8-year-old twins Thomas and Jake. The moms, who both volunteer year-round, agreed they’re trying to impress on their children the importance of helping others.
“They need to appreciate there are people who don’t have what we have and don’t live where we live,” Val said. “I want them to understand that.”
Thus far, the children seem to be getting the message.
Lily said it’s important to help feed those who are hungry, adding volunteering makes her feel good. Thomas agreed with this sentiment.
“It’s for people who need help,” he said. “It makes them feel better.”
