Local citizens will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, not by taking road trips or sleeping in, but rather by volunteering in the area as part of the King Day of Service Saturday.
Participants will gather outside the Campus Involvement Center before heading out to fulfill various volunteer events. The Day of Service is part of a series of events to celebrate King’s memory and message.
“Giving back to one’s community when possible is something we should all strive for and an excellent way to commemorate Dr. King and what he stood for,” said Jim Sand, a committee member for the Martin Luther King Day celebration.
The volunteer opportunities vary from home building to serving lunch to the homeless.
Habitat for Humanity will coordinate a build day on Saturday. Other opportunities include work at the Multicultural Genealogical Center, the Re-Store Habitat Store, United Campus Ministries and ARTS/West.
Rebecca Fischer, president of Habitat for Humanity, said she appreciates the exposure that organizations receive from the Day of Service.
“It is important to give back to your community and to help out your friends and neighbors,” Fischer said. “This day also shows people all the great services that are going on in their own community. Many people are unaware of how involved our students are in the community.”
Saturday will end with volunteers meeting at Walter Hall to reflect on the day’s work.
Sand stressed that the Day of Service will not only reflect the ideals King fought for, but also values that OU promotes.
“In addition, ‘community’ and ‘citizenship’ are two of Ohio University’s core values, so taking the opportunity to serve the surrounding area is a way to make real what it means to be a member of the Ohio University community,” Sand said.
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