Local children celebrated Martin Luther King Day with the Rise MLK Sleepy Time Drive. Local houses of worship and first grade classes at the Walter C. Black school organized  special good night packages including a book, stuffed animal, presented  a wonderful opportunity for a group of about twenty children in the Hightstown-East Windsor area to help other children in our communities. These children gathered at the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown  on this day of celebration of the life and message of Dr. King. The children attend various area churches, including Saint Anthony of Padua, the First United Methodist Church and the First Presbyterian Church. Many of the children also attend The Kids Club and Vacation Bible School at the Presbyterian Church, both of which are open to all children.

This service opportunity was a collaboration between the Presbyterian Church and Rise: A Community Service Partnership and was led by Mary Maleski, Director of Children's Education at the church along with other adult volunteers. The kids sorted and packaged "sleep kits" for 77 area children of all ages. These kits were made up of new pajamas and socks, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and new or gently used books and stuffed animals. Each kit also included a note of cheer written and illustrated by yhe young volunteers. Rise will distribute these kits to qualifying area children from their office.

Students from the First Grade Classes at the Walter C Black school collected pj's, stuffed animals, books and created lovely handwritten notes to all the children.

Kudos and thanks to all the children who participated. Many of the children had also sung in a children's group the night before at the community Martin Luther King service held at the Mt. Pisgah AME Church. That service included participation from most of the ministers and rabbis from area churches under the auspices of WHAM, the Windsor-Hightstown Area Ministerium.