Last week’s King of Spring celebration culminated with a weekend that drew the community out in droves bringing Athletics, King Cares, and Performing Arts together to celebrate the school’s spirit. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families cheered on sports teams Saturday, April 22. They returned the following day to volunteer at King’s Family Day of Service and jam to live music at the King Music Festival in support of Project Music.
“There hasn't been an event at King so far that I didn't have fun or feel good about,” said Maggie O'Callaghan ’25. “Volunteering at King Cares events has helped me become more involved in my community and connect faces to names.”
PA Viking Pride elevated the occasion during Saturday’s games. As Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Softball, and Baseball battled on the fields, fans mingled, popping into a photo booth and indulging in an ice cream truck provided by PA Viking Pride.
Sunday morning began with breakfast in the Lower School before volunteers spanned out across campus to work on projects for partners, including Building One Community (B1C), Inspirica, Kids in Crisis, Person 2 Person, Orphaned Starfish Foundation, and the Long Ridge Post Acute Center.
"I worked with Inspirica packing everyday needs into baskets and Kids in Crisis decorating pillowcases, packing them with items, and writing cards,” said Maggie, who co-runs the One Love Club at King. “King organizing these King Cares events gives students the chance to show their love for the school and the community.”
For B1C, volunteers decorated pots and filled them with flowers for Homework Club children to give on Mother’s Day.
“It was heartwarming to see so many of the King community come together to help others,” said B1C’s Volunteer Director Margarita Zimmerman. “Over the years, King has consistently supported our mission to help advance the integration of immigrants by sponsoring Thanksgiving dinners for our community, encouraging students to volunteer with us, attending our fundraising events such as our annual Benefit Breakfast, and through many other activities. We are lucky to have partners such as King School.”
After the service projects concluded, the upper school gym welcomed representatives and furry friends from five rescue organizations, including Adopt-A-Dog and Friends of Felines. Students enjoyed petting and playing with more than 15 pets hosted by the King School for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Club (KSPCA.)
The event wrapped up with a New Orleans brass band-style jam as King and Project Music students and teachers delivered an organic fusion of jazz, blues, funk, Latin, and hip-hop. The music fest was both a fundraising opportunity to support Project Music and a celebration to thank King Cares for its support of Project Music. The faculty rock band also performed pop hits from the 80s and 90s.
The community danced the weekend to a close, enjoying food from The Big Green Pizza.
"The King Cares Family Service Day was an enjoyable ending to the King of Spring week,” said Karen Raidt, Director of Global Education and of King Cares. “It truly was a wonderful day and celebration of community with so many students, families, alumni, faculty, and staff engaging in activities with 17 partner organizations."
The event also sparked ideas for events to come.
“I've always loved helping people through the King Cares event,” said Maggie. “The fact that I got to spend the day at King doing all of these activities with my friends was really great. I hope in the future I can organize a similar event at King.”