An essential element of the Martin Luther King celebration in the Columbus metro area is the MLK Day of Service, which will take place on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.
Throughout his life, Dr. King sought to forge the common ground on which people from all walks of life could join together to address important community issues. Working alongside individuals of all ages, races and backgrounds, Dr. King encouraged Americans to come together to strengthen communities, alleviate poverty, and acknowledge dignity and respect for all human beings. Service, he realized, was the great equalizer.
What is the MLK Day of Service?
Pay It Forward and the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center partner to host this annual day of community service, which brings together nearly 1000 Ohio State students to pay it forward around the Ohio State and Columbus communities while also paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Registration begins at 8:00am in the Archie Griffin Ballroom of the Ohio Union. Students will be broken up into small groups led by site leaders and transported to their service sites to complete volunteer projects. Some of the opportunities include clean-up, working with youth, literacy education, serving meals, office work, and a variety of other worthwhile projects. Upon returning from service, all site leaders will go through a small reflection activity with their groups to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and all participants will receive a t-shirt (while supplies last)!
How you can get involved:
There are two ways to get involved with the MLK Day of Service: as a site leader or as a volunteer.
Site Leaders
Site Leaders are selected positions filled by student leaders. For more information on becoming a site leader or to apply, click here.
Apply to be an MLK Day of Service Site Leader:
MLK Day of Service Site Leader Application
Volunteers
Pre-registration is available for large groups who have an accurate count of attendance. For this option, please email Mara Gordon.596@osu.edu, coordinator of MLK Day of Service. Individual and smaller group registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis the day of the event. Groups are encouraged to attend, but are encouraged to stay together in line and have an accurate count of how many are participating. Non-Ohio State students are also welcome.
Attire: Participants are encouraged to please dress appropriately for the weather and wear clothes you would not mind getting dirty at your service site. Some tasks may involve painting or cleaning at the service site.
MLK Day of Service is brought to you by Pay It Forward. For MLK Day of Service specific questions, please contact Mara Gordon.596@osu.edu, or call the Pay It Forward office at 614-292-SERV (7378).
"...He who is greatest among you shall be a servant. That's the new definition of greatness…Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.”
This quote by Dr. King is from the sermon, “The Drum Major Instinct”, delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church February 4, 1968.
The accompanying video “To Serve” is an excerpt from that sermon.
Comments