ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University students gathered for a Jan. 28 luncheon to reflect on a 10-day challenge to participate in community service and to remember Martin Luther King Jr.’s message to help others.
The university set aside Jan. 17-27 for students to volunteer either with projects on campus or at local organizations, with the challenge beginning on the federal holiday to remember King. The service projects included gardening, tree planting, care package assembling, food donation sorting, playground refreshing and more.
Hazardous weather and COVID restrictions limited opportunities, but civic engagement staff were pleased that 30 students were able to volunteer more than 90 hours.
“Our students have never had to deal with two snow weekends in a row,” said Kinyata Brown, associate dean for engagement, diversity and inclusion excellence with the Division of Student Affairs. “We were pleased that several of our students still persisted despite the weather conditions.”
Brown added that through MLK community service and other activities, Winthrop students are able to make an impact in the York County community. “We are sowing the seeds of service,” she said. “We are giving students paths or options for their choice of service.”
Recognized during the lunch for their hours of service were: Kaitny Stroman, first in number of hours; Martin Jackson, second; and Seth Merritt, third. Organizations participating the most were the Close Scholars and the university’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Jordan Snipes also was recognized for his leadership and volunteer recruitment efforts.
Civic Engagement Coordinator Jessica Martin said the project goal is for students to continue relationships with service agencies through the rest of the semester and to make commitments to service in their communities for the rest of their lives.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or e-mail her at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
