For Immediate Release
Contact: Evelyne Girardet
(312) 573-4646
egirardet@latinschool.org

Latin School Commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr. with Service Day

On Monday, January 21, 2002 students, faculty, parents, and alumni from The Latin School of Chicago will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a day of service. During this federal holiday, Latin volunteers of all ages will prepare and serve a meal for 500 hungry and homeless guests of the Uptown Baptist Church soup kitchen (1011 W. Wilson Ave.)
The idea behind this special commemoration was to encourage both students and adults to take time during their day off to reflect on the significance of King, according to L’Tanya Evans, ninth grade dean and one of the event organizers.

“We wanted Latin as an institution to recognize that Martin Luther King Day is not just about having a long weekend but to acknowledge Dr. King’s work by demonstrating the extent of his legacy,” Evans said.

By spending part of the day at Uptown Baptist, Latin honors King’s view of the importance of service and his commitment to being a good neighbor in a broader sense, she said.
The group will begin cooking at 2 p.m. on Martin Luther King Day at the Uptown Baptist Kitchen. Dinner is scheduled for 4:30-6:30 p.m. The Latin School Gospel Choir will perform during the meal and gift bags will be distributed to guests afterward.

The Latin School will also hold a special Martin Luther King, Jr. assembly at Moody Church (1609 N. LaSalle Dr.) on Wednesday, January 16, at 1:30 p.m. The assembly will open with a silent peace march by Latin kindergarten students and will include musical performances and reflections on Martin Luther King by students, faculty, and parents.

For more information on either event, call Evelyne Girardet at (312) 573-4646.