Students, staff and community members are invited to join one of several community service projects from 10 a.m. – noon, which include a community clean up with Real Life Christian Center Church on Ninth Avenue, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and Glorious Church of God & Christ, both on 10th Avenue; a clothing collection and donation drive at Second Coming Family Life Church on Washington Boulevard; and a canned food drive and voter registration at the Marie Redd Senior Life Enrichment Center on Ninth Avenue. An arts and crafts location has also been set up for children under age 16 at the A.D. Lewis Community Center on A.D. Lewis Avenue. At the conclusion of the service events, volunteers will also be provided with a free lunch at the A.D. Lewis Center.
Marshall’s Director of Intercultural and International Students Shaunte Polk says she hopes students take the opportunity to be involved in their community, while learning about and honoring Dr. King.
“It’s a chance to improve the community they live in,” said Polk. “Huntington serves as our students’ home for the four to five years they are here and we want them to feel that sense of connection to and pride in it. They can learn from these projects and we hope they become empowered by knowing that they will have a lasting impact on the community.”
Huntington’s first Black police chief, Karl Colder, will serve as the keynote speaker for a special celebration dinner at 4:30 p.m. Polk says Colder has a passion for justice, unity and service and his dedication to the community is reflective of King’s ideas. The dinner is free and open to the public.
“I think it’s important to hold these types of events in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. because it helps people truly understand the importance of service to your community,” said Polk. “Dr. King fought for all people and wanted a society where people showed love for their fellow human beings. By continuing to do this work, we are showing that we can help continue to fight for his cause no matter who or where we are.”
The event is sponsored by the Center for African American Students and the Huntington-Cabell Branch of the NAACP. Volunteers wishing to take part in service opportunities may sign up by visiting https://www.marshall.edu/caas/events.