Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day of remembrance for his work and legacy as a civil rights leader. For Muskingum University, it is also a chance to give back to the community.
Muskingum University organized it’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service where 56 members of the university community came together, including 35 students, 13 employees, three employee family members, and five alumni.
“To be able to take our students and say, you know, ‘here’s a day where you could sleep in or you could go home for a long three-day weekend but you could also be able to embrace this value that Muskingum really epitomizes and say let’s go out into our community and give back in a way,’” said Valerie Smith, Director of Cultural Engagement & Inclusion.
Volunteers worked from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. where they were treated to a free lunch. As their community service for the day came to an end, volunteers were asked a series of reflection questions.
“As the director of cultural engagement and inclusion, I really like the fact that this project, this day of service, really also highlights the legacy of Martin Luther King and that ability to have social change and connections within the community,” said Smith.
Those who participated assisted groups like Habitat for Humanity, Breaking Free Therapeutic Riding Center, Beckett House, and the New Concord Area Arts & Recreation District (NCAARD).
