YMCA salutes King

LYNN – In words and deeds, YMCA Metro North organizers and a special invited guest made sure Martin Luther King Jr.’s message rang loud and clear in the ears of local youth Monday.”Dr. King stands for the fundamental values that make America what it is today. Most of all, he showed us you don’t have to be beholden to the past – things don’t have to be the way they are – we can make the world better,” U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton told about 100 volunteers and children gathered in the Lynn YMCA gym.Moulton toured the Y and took part in national day of service activities celebrating the civil rights leader’s legacy. He ran basketball drills, joined in a card-marking project and slathered purple paint on his hands before slapping them on a wall next to a King quote that read in part: “I can change the world with my own two hands.”This is the first year YMCA of Metro North has hosted activities honoring King and his message of social change, said Lynn branch executive director Audrey Jimenez. Similar celebrations were held at YMCA branches in Peabody, Saugus and Melrose. At the Lynn branch, YMCA government relations director Tania Buck-Ruffen estimated 178 volunteers and participating children were engaged in activities by noon.”The aim was to have 300 children and 120 volunteers across our four branches. I think we far exceeded our numbers,” Buck-Ruffen said.She said a $4,500 grant provided by the Mass Service Alliance helped YMCA of Metro North host Monday’s activities, including creative arts, an herb planting project and gymnasium activities.”Dr. King learned to play basketball at the Y in Butler, Georgia,” Buck-Ruffen said.Moulton also traveled to the Danversport Yacht Club to take part in the Martin Luther King luncheon hosted by the Lynn-based Community Minority Cultural Center. King’s message and his importance in American history resounded Monday with English High School student Jonathan Salerna, who said King “provided a push society needed.””He was a very strong person – he wasn’t afraid to stand up,” added North Shore Community College student Mariano Ozuna.