The Laurinburg Institute will hold a "Call to Service" event this weekend at the school.

Frank McDuffie, principal of the historically black school, said the effort is to help get the community — and young people in particular — more involved with the school.

McDuffie said that the younger generation is more inclined to help one afternoon, or over a weekend, instead of keeping a standing public service commitment.

"We were initially approached by people at Bennett College" to hold a call to service, he said.

McDuffie hopes the program will help the community build a sense of ownership in the Laurinburg Institute.

He also wants the program to "act as a model for other nonprofits" to increase local involvement.

"We like to call area colleges," McDuffie said. He mentioned Richmond Community College, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, UNC at Pembroke and Bennett College as sources for volunteers, as well as residents of Laurinburg.

McDuffie said the event will start at 8 a.m. on Saturday and go the length of the day, or, as he put it, "from can to can't."

He said the volunteers will clean up debris, move furniture, organize the library and other tasks that don't require much skill and can be accomplished in a shorter period of time.

The Clinton Inn will provide discounted lodging for people staying overnight, and Bright Hopewell Church will provide a special service and fish dinner for out-of-town volunteers.

"This model could help our community," McDuffie said.

He pointed out how the institute works on the same model.

Students help around the school to help pay their way through the private school.

"Tuition abatement becomes differred maintenance," McDuffie said.

He credits this as helping students form a sense of ownership with the institute, which in turn makes them care about their educational outcomes.

For information on how to help, call the Laurinburg Institute at 276-0684.