With the presidential election less than a year away, Obama for America volunteers are working to build roots in Athens.
Obama for America volunteers and Ohio University College Democrats honored Martin Luther King Jr. Day in President Barack Obama’s name this weekend by organizing several events with local benefits.
On Saturday, volunteers took to their cell phones at the United Campus Ministry Center, 18 N. College St., to make calls encouraging community members to offer their time working at food pantries registered in the Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action program.
“I think this is a great way to honor MLK’s legacy,” said Sarah Williams, intern for the Obama for America campaign and a senior studying political science.
Of the food pantries registered in the program, 12 are in Athens. Last month, they served more than 3,000 people.
“This is a very important issue a lot of us forget about because we’re so worried about our own issues on campus,” Williams said. “It’s important to give back and always give back.”
Athens was one of the poorest counties in the state, with 32.8 percent of its residents below the poverty level, according to the American Community Survey, which analyzed poverty in Ohio from 2005–09.
Dana Anderson, team leader for the region’s Obama for America chapter, said she was made aware of the area’s poverty levels when the Rev. Jesse Jackson visited OU in September and spoke about the Appalachian and Athens area economies.
“I think people don’t realize how important this issue is,” Anderson said. “The speech really struck me. You can really see (the poverty) in this area. A few miles off campus are all it takes to really see it.”
Sally Jo Wiley, Athens County resident and Albany Laundromat owner, volunteered after seeing the way customers were affected by the economy in the past five years she has been in business. Wiley said as gas prices rise, her business sales decrease.
“These are hard-working people,” Wiley said. “Life has always been hard for them, and it’s just getting harder.”
Obama for America volunteers also picked up trash along Palmer and Mill streets Sunday. “Other students shouldn’t take this time to relax,” said Marika Bresler, vice president for OU College Democrats. “MLK Jr. weekend is a time to think about other people. A lot of times, especially in Athens, (students) can feel disconnected and disjointed from the rest of the community. This can bring us together.”
Obama for America has secured realty on North Court Street and will be opening a campaign office in February, Anderson said.
sj950610@ohiou.edu
