In central Pennsylvania, families are embracing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as their chance to teach the next generation about volunteering.

“We’re at this point in our world where we all need to be helping each other,” Christine Cronkright said, chair of the Women’s Leadership Network for the capitol region United Way.

Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the organization hosts a volunteer event— with kid participation encouraged.

“It's one of my favorite days of the year because I get to bring my kids with me and teach them the importance of volunteering,” Cronkright said. “And why— why we do what we do to help the community. It's one of the best lessons you can ever give them."

The group put together of 300 winter care kits, 100 shoebox meal kits, 300 emergency period kits, and 300 shower kits for high schoolers to use.

The kids were quick to catch on—

“You put a tissue in the bag, and then put body lotion in the bag, then lip balm… pull it like that— and throw it in the box,” Maren Cronkright, an elementary school student, walked us through the whole assembly line for the winter care kit.

The materials are donated by local sponsors. United Way chooses the projects based on what contacts in the community say is the biggest need.

For volunteer Katrina Price and her granddaughter Kyleah;

“There are people out here that are still in need of basic things,” Katrina said. “So this helps her understand that while she is fortunate and has things, this is a way for her to understand that some people don't. And we can help them by doing what we do here today.”

“It helps her understand that she too, even at a young age, can help others,” Price said.

It’s one way that Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy—

“He was always helping others, so we just pass that forward,” Price said.

— is put to practice with the next generation.

“I love to come here to help out with everyone,” Ellie Cronkright said, also in elementary school. "It's really fun.”

“Helping other kids,” Kyleah Price said, when asked what her favorite part of volunteering is. “And then other people getting things."