“This number was higher than expected,” said Mary Elizabeth Seay, director of first-year programming at St. Andrews and one of the project coordinators.
“We had 125 participants last year, but to have this kind of response was incredible. It works out to approximately 632 hours of volunteer service by members of the St. Andrews community today.”
Projects varied from sorting items to construction to standard office work.
“The work received positive reviews all around,” said Seay.
“The leaders at Church Community Services were amazed at how fast the students worked. Hospice of Scotland County was very grateful for the help from students, who washed the windows, as their work helped residents have a brighter view. Many of the student volunteers for the Scotland County Humane Society took home volunteer applications so they can help on a regular basis.”
For team leader Joy’eshia Brown at Partners in Ministry, the event was especially gratifying.
“It was a great experience,” she said. “I loved it and I was offered a summer job with Americorps, which is over the program. We were all offered internships if we were interested.”
Teams worked with Century Care Nursing Home, Church Community Services, the Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Center, Habitat for Humanity, The Haven Animal Shelter, Helping Hand, Hospice of Scotland County, the Humane Society, the Literacy Council, Partners in Ministry, the Red Cross, the Scotland Place Civic Center, Scotland Community Health Clinic, the Storytelling Arts Center and Lumber River State Park.
The United States Congress created The King Day of Service in 1994 as part of the King Holiday and Service Act. Participation has grown steadily, with hundreds of thousands of Americans engaging in volunteer service to their community annually in celebration of the legacy of the late civil rights leader.
More information about the day is available at www.mlkday.gov.
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