SYRACUSE -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is known as a day of service. In Syracuse, the Greater Syracuse Labor Council and the United Way of Central New York teamed up to help give back to the community.
With the help of volunteers the groups hope to sort through clothes and food to donate. Last year they helped 440 families, and this year they are thinking they will help close to 800.
Karen Smith is the Vice President of the Labor Council, and she has seen the event grow ever year. "It's evolved from all of us working together from different labor unions, different walks of life, we get teachers involved, we try to get everybody involved."
This year students from the Jamesville-DeWitt School District have given up their day off to lend a helping hand. "It feels good because I'm not at school and I'm still doing something productive with my time instead of just sitting home and playing video games," says Taylor Williams.
Jullian Rippon was surprised with the amount of donations that came in. "I didn't expect this much clothes... the tables are filling up so fast."
Each of the students spent three hours sorting and folding. While they were helping, they were also thinking about how they are thankful for what they have. "I'm just happy that everyone's going to be warm this winter," says Rippon.
All of the donations will stay local and go to eleven area shelters. It's a big donation and one the shelters look forward to each year. Next year the group hopes to have an even bigger turnout.
