“The time is always right to do what is right.”

That quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., exemplifies the spirit of the thousands of individuals who have stepped forward over the years to become part of the Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program. Having just distributed its 1,065,758th free book, this award-winning community initiative has attempted to live up to its mission of “connecting kids and community through literacy” by uniting the various segments of our community in an effort to make a difference.

The “magic” that is Cops ‘n’ Kids takes place throughout the year at its Reading Room, located within the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center, and at its numerous community and school book distribution events designed to impact the lives of our community’s children. This effort to make that “connection” is particularly consequential during these uncertain and turbulent times.

On Jan. 21 and 22, volunteers from PPL and Moravian College once again made their annual visit to Fountain Hill Elementary School in Bethlehem to “do what is right” in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s visit, however, had a new slant because of COVID-19. This year the volunteers from PPL and from Moravian College “adopted” the individual classrooms at Fountain Hill in virtual classroom situations. All 27 classrooms at Fountain Hill were visited electronically via Zoom by these enthusiastic volunteers to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. – and to reflect on the importance of his message to us all.

The volunteers read and discussed the inspirational book “Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” by author Doreen Rappaport and illustrator Bryan Collier. They also encouraged a discussion of the impact that kindness and working together can have in our lives –again, in honor of this American hero. With the aid of a themed booklet that has been prepared specifically for this occasion, the volunteers guided students through a thought-provoking series of activities.

As part of its effort to help young students succeed, PPL employees, along with the PPL Foundation, have helped countless young people keep pace with reading. Their Cover to Cover initiative has resulted in thousands of books being provided to thousands of students in grades K-3. By volunteering at events such as this at Fountain Hill, both PPL personnel and the Moravian College student athletes and coaches continue to demonstrate their commitment to working together in the name of our community’s children.

This continuing collaboration with Cops ‘n’ Kids has resulted in the meaningful tradition of visiting Fountain Hill Elementary to reflect on the significance of the message put forth by Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s virtual approach to doing so may have had a unique look, but the message is one that is timeless and should resonate with both those on the giving end and the little ones on the receiving end. If ever there were a time to do the right thing, now is the time.

Contributed article