The Details: King Day of Service, January 19, 2009

Who? Youth and leaders from four stakes: Cherry Hill New Jersey, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Valley Forge Pennsylvania and Wilmington Delaware.

What? We'll be participating in the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, joining thousands of volunteers for the largest Day of Service in the nation!

When? Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 19, 2009 from 8 am to 1 pm (not including travel time).

Where? Temple University's Liacouras Center (sports and entertainment arena) in downtown Philadelphia, 1771 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19121. This is the signature event location for the Day of Service. (Directions to Liacouras Center, parking information, and exact meeting location at the Center will be forthcoming. Please leave bags, purses and valuables at home, or locked in your vehicle.) The Liacouras Center is just minutes from the Philadelphia Temple site!

How? Youth and leaders from each ward/branch will carpool to the Liacouras Center. Bring enthusiasm and a bottle of water, with your name on it. Plan on arriving between 8 and 9 am. You'll register (as part of the group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), pick up and put on your Day of Service t-shirt, and join our group. We'll be one of many organizations participating in multiple service projects at the arena. The morning will begin with a kick-off celebration, followed by the service projects. At approx. 12 noon, as the service projects are completed, our group will gather to enjoy box lunches (provided) and a speaker, Ahmed Corbitt, President of the Cherry Hill New Jersey Stake and Director of the New York Office of Public Affairs and International Affairs for the Church (additional biographical information about President Corbitt will be posted on the blog). Each ward/group will then return home. You might want to stop at the Philadelphia Temple site on your way home. (Important: Leaders of each ward/branch are responsible for the safety and behavior of their youth. Please use the buddy system for restroom breaks, etc, and please be aware of the safety and whereabouts of your youth throughout the day.)

What? We'll be assembling hygiene kits and arts and crafts kits for children. Many of the arts and crafts kits will be given to Cradles to Crayons, a Philadelphia-based organization that provides basic essentials, free of charge, to low-income and homeless children from birth to pre-teens. And, each stake will take kits back to their area for distribution to local shelters. A grant from LDS Humanitarian Services is providing funding for the project.

Why? "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conservation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12, the 2009 Mutual Theme.

Updates: For the latest information, check this blog, www.SaintsOnTheDelaware.blogspot.com. Subscribe to email updates at the blog. You'll receive an email when announcements are posted at the blog. Your email address will not be shared or used for any other purpose.

Videos: Links to videos will soon be posted on this blog. They will include an overview of the 2008 Martin Luther King Day of Service, and overview of Cradles to Crayons, and an overview of LDS Humanitarian Services.

Happy New Year! Planning "A Brand New Year: Celebration for Latter-day Saint Youth" on New Years Eve (see www.lds.org/abrandnewyear)? What a great time to share details of the upcoming Martin Luther King Day of Service! Youth could check out the blog and post comments or questions. They could watch the three videos at the blog or learn more about our speaker. Plans for carpooling and visiting the Philadelphia Temple site following the service project could be discussed. Let's get our youth excited about this wonderful opportunity!

Another flier and poster (with the additional details above) for youth, leaders and parents will be distributed through each stake's Director of Public Affairs in the next few weeks.

Questions? Need more info? Want someone to come and talk to your youth about the event? Submit questions and requests at the blog (via email) or call Sister McConkie (302) 633-4825.

Thank you for your service and support!