On Monday, January 21, media are invited to a 2019 Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day of Service project at the Kingsessing Recreation Center in the southwest section of Philadelphia. Students from the ACE Mentor Program will be building cedar trash can enclosures (photo attached) to beautify the surrounding property and enhance the local community’s experience at the recreation center.

The General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), the union commercial construction association of Greater Philadelphia, is proud to help organize and participate in this event, and to support giving back through building service and community volunteerism. GBCA is coordinating this event with several area partners: ACE Mentor Program of Eastern PA, Clemens Construction Company, Inc., Keystone + Mountain + Lakes Regional Council of Carpenters, City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s Office.

In addition to the students from the ACE Mentor Program and area schools building the enclosures, several local dignitaries, including Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and PA State Senator Anthony H. Williams of the 8th District, will be on-site to give brief remarks and to assist with the volunteer work.

Kingsessing Recreation Center was announced in November as one of the sites chosen in the second round for the city’s multimillion dollar Rebuild program. The investment in parks, recreation centers and libraries is among Mayor Jim Kenney’s major initiatives to improve safety and quality of life in Philadelphia neighborhoods. The project is expected to officially launch in March 2019.

WHEN:
Monday, January 21, 2019
SUGGESTED MEDIA ARRIVAL TIME: 10:45 a.m.
Students will be building the planters throughout the morning, with local dignitaries arriving at 11:00 am to share remarks and participate in the program.

Full Agenda:
8:00 am set up
8:30 am project begins
11:00 am speaking remarks
2:00 pm project complete

WHERE:
Kingsessing Recreation Center
4901 Kingsessing Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Enclosures will be built inside the gymnasium at the Center.

WHO:
Interview opportunities will be available on-site with Angela Hendrix (717.682.8911), representative of GBCA, to discuss why this project is being completed, how it will help enhance the community, and the importance of giving back in honor of MLK, Jr.