HIGHTSTOWN — Local children from area houses of worship and the first grade classes at the Walter C. Black School helped others to honor Martin Luther King Day with Rise-a Community Service Partnership’s Sleepy-Time drive this month.
These children gathered at the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown on this day of celebration of the life and message of Dr. King, which was celebrated nationally on Jan. 18.
Participating groups of the event organized special sleepy-time packages for young children whose parents struggle to provide them with the basics, according to a Rise press release. The packages include everything to tuck a young child in at night. Each includes a book, stuffed animal, pajamas, and toothbrush and paste and many contained personal notes for the child.
The sleepy-time drive presented an opportunity for a group of about 20 children in the Hightstown-East Windsor area to help other children in their communities, the release said.
The children attend various local churches — including Saint Anthony of Padua, the First United Methodist Church and the First Presbyterian Church.
Many of the children also attend The Kids Club and Vacation Bible School at the Presbyterian Church, both of which are open to all children.

