Kimberly Sanchez, left, and Sarah Myers walk with other participants Monday as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Days of Dialogue.
While most enjoyed a day off from school yesterday, many volunteered to “Make it a day on, not a day off” in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. at the university’s day of service.
The event took place from 1-3:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Wyoming Union. Faculty, students and other community members joined forces to reach out to others in need.
“I think it was a huge success. We had a little over 200 people here so we had a really great turn out,” SLCE Volunteer Programs Coordinator Sagan Hunsaker said. “We had kids from the community, we had students and we had community members. I think everyone had a fun time and they’ve also been able to give back so it’s been a nice balance of fun and service.”
Some of the opportunities at the Service Day included sorting paper at the UW Recycling Center, making I Have a Dream quilts, lab school cleaning, and story book and puzzle making for Denver Children’s Hospital.
Each volunteering activity was run by a different organization including SACC, UW Alternative Breaks, Wyoming Conservation Corps, CHAPS, Rotaract, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Association of Black Student Leaders, Student Wyoming Education Association, Mental Health Counseling Cohort, ASUW, SPURS, and Active Minds.
Cards and letters were made for the elderly, troops, and the National Guard in Laramie.
Aside from service opportunities, there was an area for face painting, a table where individuals could plant lettuce seeds to take home, and a reading circle for the children in the Laramie community.
“My favorite part of MLK Service Day was making the snack bags. It was a good opportunity to share my artistic ability for those that may not have the funds to enjoy a granola bar or a candy bar or a juice box,” Billy Sanford, an Alternative Breaks participant, said. “We deliver these to the soup kitchen and any other organization that is able to disperse them out to those in need.”
Following the day of service was a march from the Albany County Courthouse to the Wyoming Union and a free dinner for the participants along with performances and a small award ceremony.
Even though the day of service is over, this week’s service and educational events that aim to “Mind the gap” have just begun. Throughout this week, Martin Luther King, Jr. will be honored with a variety of programs.
A full list of events with specific times and locations can be viewed at http://www.mlkdod.com/ under the schedule tab.
