Sandpoint Waldorf students take part in day of service

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. encompassed service, leadership, love and elevating one’s fellows. Recently, students at Sandpoint Waldorf School followed in the footsteps of Dr. King, walking in his footsteps for a day by giving back to the community.

Some children engaged with seniors and at the Sandpoint Senior Center, where they sang and entertained the guests. Others performed more physical projects like clearing snow from driveways, and some visited the Panhandle Animal Shelter to help homeless animals. Animals are integral to the human condition, and love of fellow creatures enhances the love of self and others. The students helped the shelter in many much needed ways; washing nose prints from windows, mopping paw prints off muddy floors, washing bedding and cleaning food dishes. They even helped design a clever marketing campaign around three black cats who needed more attention to get adopted.

“Though Martin Luther King was not an animal advocate he did believe in committing himself to a life of service,” Mandy Evans, Panhandle Animal Shelter executive director, said. “The school astutely chose a shared passion the classes had for animals so they can learn that serving others can be fun and rewarding. The kids did not take their responsibility lightly. They worked hard during the time here and even played with the animals to wear them out.”