GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Some Gwinnett County students turned their Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday into a day of service, stocking shelves at a local food pantry to help feed families in need.
This comes as the school district announced they would be going virtual on Tuesday ahead of anticipated winter weather headed our way.
The Gwinnett High School seniors spent MLK Day on Monday at the North Gwinnett Co-Op, taking a page from the civil rights leader’s legacy of service.
“It’s a day of service,” said Lanier High School Senior Lerone Yuyun. “MLK was all about just serving his community.”
“Dr. King serves as a role model for service,” said North Gwinnett High senior Majorie Guerrero.
The students are all with the Sugar Hill Youth Council, an organization to help students learn about city government.
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They helped to collect donations that go toward families served by the North Gwinnett Co-Op.
“There’s so many reasons not to help, but Dr. King, he lived a life of sacrifice and service,” said Noah Fox, a Lanier High senior.
“I think it’s important that we show we love our community,” said Chloe Moore, a senior at Lanier High School. “We had so many hands, we got a lot done in a little amount of time.”
Between sorting boxes and stocking shelves, these young leaders spent the day off school volunteering while anticipating another day off school on Tuesday.
Gwinnett County Schools on Monday evening canceled classes for Tuesday because of the chance of snow in the afternoon. Classes will be virtual on Tuesday while the district monitors weather conditions beyond that.
“It’s nice because it’s a little bit of work then we can enjoy our snow day,” said Moore.
But for Monday, the students remained focused on their mission.
“I just couldn’t think of a better way to honor Dr. King,” said Kim Phillips, Executive Director of the North Gwinnett Co-Op, “serving our community, and having our youth come alongside us to do it.”
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