SACO — While schools, government offices and many businesses were closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, First Parish Congregational Church was open, giving a helping hand to those in need.
The fourth annual “Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service ”“ Not a Day Off, But a Day On” was held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shortly after 11:30 a.m., organizers said there had been 46 people who attended the event, which was an increase from last year.
A number of services, all free, were available to participants including flu vaccinations, reflexology and chiropractic sessions, health and vision screenings, food, and hair cuts. People were also invited to use the church’s shower and laundry facilities.
Director of Christian Education Kris Galasyn said King asked the question, “What are you doing for others?”
“This is our response to that,” she said. “This is what we can do.”
The church is fortunate enough to have a space large enough to hold the event, she said, and organizers were able to get volunteers to provide a variety of services.
In a room on the first floor with various health practitioners, Saco resident John Bisognani was reclined and getting a foot massage from reflexologist Robert Marchand.
“This is good, this is very good,” he said when asked what he thought of the event. “I like it.”
Marchand said this was his second year volunteering at the event, and he enjoyed being part of it.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community,” he said.
Bruce Cyr of Biddeford said it was a good opportunity to get out of the house, and he was spending time there with friends. His favorite activities that day were lunch and seeing a chiropractor.
“I got my back cracked,” he said. “It felt good, you should try it.”
On the second floor of the church, toiletries and new and gently used clothing were available, and had been donated by parishioners of First Parish Congregational Church, Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Saco, Second Congregational Church in Biddeford, Seventh Day Adventist Church of Saco and Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco.
Down the hallway, hair stylist Sharon Knight was volunteering alongside her daughter, church member Julie Carter, also a hair stylist.
Saco resident Connie Dries was getting her hair trimmed by Knight.
“I’m floating,” she said. She said she had a foot massage, her blood pressure checked and had eaten breakfast.
“It’s better than the Ritz,” she said.
She said that King would be proud to know that so many people were helping others. All the volunteers, she said, “are just as hospitable as can be.”
“It’s so nice that the church is doing this,” she said.
Also that day, young people were participating in community service projects that included playing bingo with residents at the Monarch Center, organizing food and clothing at Stone Soup Food Pantry, painting the Seventh Day Adventist Church and decorating the Truslow Adult Day Center for Valentine’s Day.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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