In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., PECO collaborated with the Edward W. Bok Technical High School, located at 1901 S. 9th St. in South Philadelphia for a volunteer project to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.

With more than 80 PECO employees present, PECO teamed up with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program to paint a mural that will support No Place For Hate, an initiative of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) that challenges anti-Semitism, racism and hatred.

PECO employees poured into the school, bringing their families to contribute to the mural and to take part in the excitement of celebrating King alongside students from the school. The employees also worked together to repaint the whole cafeteria and repaint an area that will soon be known as “Bok Café.”

PECO has participated in community service events for MLK Days of Service for many years. They got involved with the school in 2010 through a partnership with the ADL. PECO’s partnership with the ADL leading them to connect with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and Bok Technical High School to collaborate on this diversity-themed mural.

Benjamin Armstrong, senior communications specialist at PECO, was impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm of the PECO employees.

“We even had more than 80 employees show up, so some of them went to participate at the Girard College event,” Armstrong said. “We want to support that event, but we also look for an opportunity with a school or organization each year to help make an impact on the community.”

Boaz Parker, a senior at Bok Technical High School, is the school’s lead coordinator for the No Place For Hate® initiative. Parker was happy to participate in the MLK event and found it to be very rewarding.

“When I heard there was service today I was on board with it,” he said. “Dr. King stood for what we’re doing today here.”

Ron Bradley, PECO vice president of gas and event executive sponsor, has been dedicated to the MLK Day of Service and was thrilled to see a great number of PECO employees and families participate.

“Everyone is so dedicated, and people are really doing some fine and articulate paint work,” Bradley said. “I think the whole intent of MLK Day of Service came through in a good way here.”

The PECO employees will continue their relationship with Bok Technical School and are now in the midst of collaborating with the school to produce a diversity-themed comic book for students.