MSU Community Engagement hosted MLK Day of Service

Minnesota State’s Community Engagement office held an annual MLK Day of Service event Monday at CSU MavAve where students volunteered to help the community while earning volunteer hours.

“We are honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by doing small acts of service that anybody can do, and it is accessible to students here on campus,” said Crystal Watts, interim assistant director of community engagement.

Watts said there were five projects available for students.

“First, we’re doing children’s size type blankets to be donated to Partners for Housing. Those are shelters for women and children in crisis. And then we are making mittens, which will be donated to different pantries that have a need for them,” said Watts. “We’re also portioning laundry pods and dryer sheets as well as servings of rice, and those will be donated to the Maverick Food Pantry and Campus Cupboard.”

Additionally, students were making dog toys to be donated to the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society, and making cards for nursing home residents.

“They’re cards of encouragement that they love receiving, and hopefully soon we’ll be able to take a whole crew out there and hand them out and read it to some of the seniors,” said Watts.

Senior Grace Larsen participated in making blankets for women and children. She said she believes volunteering is beneficial for everyone.

“I think it’s really important to take time to reflect but also improve the community around you every day,” said Larsen. “And it is a great way to honor a civil rights leader.”

Students can volunteer throughout the year. Mavs in Action is a volunteer organization where students connect to help better the community.

“I joined Mavs in Action last year because I wanted to get more involved on campus,” said senior Leyla Farah. “And then I came back this year and joined the board. I think it is a great opportunity for us to do more service and help people.”

Freshman Terry Brennan participated in packing tide pods and dryer sheets into bags to donate to Maverick Food Pantry and Campus Cupboard.

“We are putting them in small dispensable bags, which you can give to people so that they can wash their clothes and other things,” said Brennan. “MLK Day of Service is about going out and just giving back to the community. If you spend that time to help other people, I feel like that makes a really big impact.”

Write to Amalia Sharafkhodjaeva at amashatim@gmail.com