SACO — While some youngsters were enjoying a day off Monday, 9-year-old Charlotte Williamson was at First Parish Congregational Church, helping set up for meals to be served that day.

Williamson was one of many volunteers at the church’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: A Day On, Not A Day Off.

Since 2009, the church has opened its doors on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, providing a host of free services to the community. This year, the church’s offerings included breakfast and lunch, laundry and shower services, health screenings, hair cuts, toiletries, underwear and socks, and chiropractic services.

Williamson said she arrived at the church at 6:45 a.m., and though it was an early day, she was having fun, and enjoyed organizing and getting everything ready for the meals.

“I love the stuff that they do here,” said Sara Thibodeau of Biddeford, as cosmetology student and volunteer Meredith Marquis cut her hair.

She said she’s been coming every year since she moved to the area.

“My son just got his first hair cut here,” she said.

Maranda Provost worked in the clothing and toiletries room. She volunteered last year and had collected clothes to donate over the past year for yesterday’s event.

“Last year was so fun I wanted to help again this year,” she said.

Kris Galasyn, director of Christian Education for children and youth, organized the event. She said fliers were posted at local soup kitchens, food pantries, libraries, human services agencies and local businesses such as Laundromats to notify the public about the event.

“It’s amazing,” said Tiffiny Post, who came along with her boyfriend, Jamie Sowerby, and son, Kayd’n Neves, from Old Orchard Beach to attend the event.

“We walked in, everyone was all smiles, and happy,” she said over a lunch of taco salad.

“It’s really generous,” said Sowerby.

Also on Monday, area youth were at different locations doing service projects, Galasyn said.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].