MLK Service Day 2021 Recap

More than 100 volunteers spent this federal holiday, and national day of service, helping others by completing DIY, virtual, and in-person projects in honor of the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Locally, project sites focused on food insecurity, homelessness, and literacy. Check out some project highlights and photos below.

“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service… You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

It was a bright and sunny, but cold, Monday morning as members from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, American Beauty Chapter No 214 Prince Hall Order of the Easter Star, along with other families and HOTC Board members, came together to help feed their neighbors at Harper Elementary School. Bags of food including chicken, fruit, juice, and non-perishables from Second Harvest were handed out to nearly 300 households, serving more than 840 individuals altogether.

We introduced a new DIY project, Soups and Socks. In total, 78 pairs of socks were received, each filled with a can of soup, spoon and note of encouragement. These donations were given to local human service agencies such as Dog Taggs, Fountain of Life Rescue, Thomasville Police Department, and The Walk Youth Group who will then distribute them to those in need throughout the community.

Virtually, volunteers participated in the vMLK Project, a simulation experience of one of Dr. King’s speeches. Afterwards they shared their “Idea whose time has come.”

Our Book Drive was once again a success! Thanks to our generous volunteers, we received 236 books that were then distributed to the Meigs Literacy Fair, Head Start, Thomasville Community Resource Center, and the Vashti Center.

Even though the Meigs Literacy Fair was not able to be an in-person event this year due to COVID concerns, the Virtuous Girls Youth Group still managed to share the joy of reading by giving out 371 books. More than 21 volunteers from Thomas County Central High School FCCLA club also participated in a Virtual Literacy Fair, recording themselves reading children’s books that will be shared with local youth organizations throughout the year.

It was a wonderful morning of service in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, volunteers, non-profits, and groups who came together to help make it all happen, especially our Diamond Level (and above) Sponsors Ashley HomeStore, New Hire Solutions, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Chubb, Mr. & Mrs. Howell L. Ferguson, Ms. Diane W. Parker, and Dr. & Mrs. Philip C. Watt; as well as the Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation for making volunteer events and programs like these possible.