The Volunteer and Community Service Center and the Diversity Center will be holding Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Monday, Jan. 18. Sponsoring service-related activities throughout the day, the VCSC and Diversity Center are encouraging students to make a day with no classes “a day on, not a day off” in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
“The campus gives the day off from class to participate in MLK’s vision in what is recognized as a national holiday to celebrate his life’s work,” said Sarah Muenster-Blakely, volunteer programs assistant at the Volunteer and Community Service Center.
Volunteers are being sought to participate in projects at nine service sites throughout the Appleton community. Students will meet to leave for the sites at the Cinema of the Warch Campus Center at 12:30 p.m. and volunteer at the site until 3 p.m. Transportation will be provided.
Scheduled projects include leading a lesson on diversity at Richmond Elementary, painting walls and murals at Valley New School, and playing bingo at Pioneer Village. Students also have the opportunity to design a coffee cup mascot for Harmony Café and cook a meal for the homeless at the emergency shelter.
To further promote education for informed civic engagement, a Volunteer Fair will be held after students return from service sites from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. in the main entryway of the Warch Campus Center. The fair will feature representatives from 24 area agencies, including Make A Wish Foundation, Heckrodt Wetland Reserve and 12 Lawrence campus organizations.
Presentations on the 2009 Summer Volunteer Opportunity Grant projects will be held in the Kraemer Conference Room from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Past recipients will discuss their volunteer projects to motivate students to seek summer service initiatives. The day will end with a ceremony featuring a keynote speaker in the chapel from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
According to the VCSC and Diversity Center, participating in the volunteer effort is a great way to remember and recognize the life and teachings of one of the greatest civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. Anyone who wants to make a difference in the community and work towards Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision is urged to participate.
The VCSC can be contacted by phone at 920-832-6644 or by e-mail at volunteer.center@lawrence.edu.
Volunteer projects on MLK Day of Service
