Folks from the greater Charleston area can celebrate the weekend’s two holidays through community service projects that simultaneously commemorate both.
The National Day of Service, which honors Martin Luther King Day with support from the Presidential Inaugural Committee, is this Saturday.
“To honor the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” the Committee says, “the first family is asking Americans to find an event and serve with others in their community.”
The projects’ goals are of seven different categories: health, education, community resilience, economic development, veterans and military families, faith and environment.
While some of the local projects already reached a maximum number of volunteers, there are still seven different opportunities to contribute in the tri-county area, which are listed below by place, time, category and organizer. All are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19.
- Summerville; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Community Resilience; Summerville NAACP
This new local branch of the NAACP is hosting a “Service to Seniors” in the Summerville area, and will provide light housework, yard work, minor home repairs, errands and other services to senior citizens in need.
Any senior in the Summerville area in need of assistance that day, as well as interested participants, can contact the organization by phone (843-297-9779) or email (summervillenaacp@gmail.com).
Volunteers are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Cedar St. parking lot of the Dorchester County Council Building (500 N Main St in Summerville).
- Mt. Pleasant; two-hour shifts beginning at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.; Health, Hospice of Charleston
Volunteers can do a wide range of projects at this facility (676 Wando Park Blvd.), ranging from packing baskets for patients to tending the grounds.
Interested persons can sign up on the PIC website.
- Cross; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Community Resilience, Cross Community Center
The Cross Community Center (1690 Old Hwy. 6) can use interior painting and outdoor clean-up for its “beautify” project.
Volunteers can enroll at the PIC website.
- West Ashley; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Education; Teachers’ Supply Closet
Pencils, papers, notebooks, crayons and other basic school supplies are requested by the Teachers’ Supply Closet, located at the Ashley Landing Shopping Center (1401 Sam Rittenburg Blvd, Suite 11).
These and other requested items (see list) can be dropped off from 10 a.m. ‘til noon. Cross; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Health; Cross High School and Cross Recreation League
- Cross; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Health; Cross High School and Cross Recreation League
Cross’ high school and Recreation League are co-hosting a “Learning a Fun Way to Exercise” class at the school facility (1293 Old Hwy. 6), and will feature health information and instruction on Zumba exercises.
All in the community are invited to attend, and can RSVP through the PIC website.
- St. George; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Community Resilience; Grady Jones
Volunteers will construct a cement walkway to the community tennis courts, which the organizer hopes will make this feature of the St. George Sports Center (230 Park St.) more accessible and inviting to children.
Interested persons can contact Grady Jones at (843) 922-0647, or sign-up at the PIC website.
- Mt. Pleasant; 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Economic Development; William Hamilton
Participants will meet at the intersection of Hwys. 17 and 41 in Mt. Pleasant, and will distribute information on the upcoming improvement in service frequency of the town’s bus service.
Volunteers can contact William Hamilton at (843) 870-5299, or can RSVP at the PIC website.
Other National Day of Service events in the Charleston area that already report reaching maximum numbers of volunteers include warehouse work at the Water Mission International and volunteers for a men’s Cancer Survivors Luncheon at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, both in North Charleston.
These projects aren’t limited to Saturday alone, either. Persons interested in continuing such community service can sign up at the PIC website and specify the particular type of service they’d support. Volunteers will be notified of service opportunities throughout the year.
The National Day of Service has been celebrated since 1990, and became joined with the King Holiday in 1994.
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