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Ellen Stephens has been serving breakfast on Martin Luther King Day for the past 10 years.
Stephens, 51, of York City, volunteers at the Crispus Attucks Community Center for the annual Martin Luther King Day of Service program, as well as for other programs throughout the year.
Stephens and her four younger sisters all serve food at the event.
"Our parents inspired us to help out," said Stephens. "And we help each other out every day."
And Martin Luther King Day is a day set aside to remind everyone to do just that, she said.
"It's about unity, and it's about everything being together," Stephens said.
Breakfast was served to more than 150 county residents who gathered to honor Martin Luther King as they listened to speakers and headed into the community for service project.
A grandmother's wish: Essence Langford danced to "Grateful" by Hezekiah Walker, in honor of her late grandmother, Sheila Banks. Banks worked for Crispus Attucks.
Before she died in December she asked her granddaughter to dance to the song at her funeral, so Monday was the second time Langford performed the dance and she received a standing ovation.
Langford, 18, of York City, said that Martin Luther King Day was always important to her grandmother.
"Martin Luther King Day means that everybody is equal. He made the dream happen and now we're all together celebrating him," said Langford.
Service projects: Service options included serving breakfast and lunch, picking up trash, working at the York County Food Bank, and visiting residents at ManorCare.
Stefani Brown led the "Clean Sweep" through the south end of the city with a dozen volunteers picking up trash.
Brown worked at Crispus Attucks before she left to serve in the Army.
York City Council member David Satterlee and his son, Noah, 16, were part of the cleanup crew - an option they chose so they could be outside.
Martin Luther King Day is a great day for father-son community service since it is a day that both he and his son have off work and school, Satterlee said.
"It's one of the days where people are able to forego differences and work together on a common cause," said Satterlee.
Children enjoyed stories with "The Bumblebee," otherwise known as York City resident Donna Watkins.
Watkins read books and went over key words like commitment, courage, fairness and determination with children at the event.
She talked about how everyone has a role to play to create a just society.
Peace pledge: Groups also met for discussion and to view the documentary, "Mighty Times: The Children's March," about children taking part in marching for civil rights in Birmingham 50 years ago.
Sondra Thompson, president of the York NAACP, discussed goals with the audience, encouraging them to think about what their dreams are, in light of Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream speech.
Those who viewed the film could also sign a Peace Pledge, to commit to living a life that values others and not violence, said Thompson.
- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com
