Many Ohio University students will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday by serving their communities and celebrating the empowerment advocated by its namesake. Here's a look at the day's lineup of opportunities:
Brunch and silent march
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Brunch and Silent March. At 11:06 a.m., participants will march from Galbreath Chapel to Baker University Center Ballroom, where the brunch will feature a keynote address by Ohio University alumnus Jeffery T. Burgin, dean of students at Alabama A&M. The theme of the event is "Chaos or Community: Where Do We Go From Here?"
"Our theme asks the question, 'Do we want to work together or against each other?'" said Alpha Phi Alpha President Horace Lee. "Racism was discussed during recent events such as Hurricane Katrina and the Jena 6 in Louisiana, so this is an important and timely question to address."
Tickets are $5 per person or $35 per table of eight and can be purchased at the Multicultural Center in Baker University Center in advance or at the door.
Service projects
The UCM Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice has lined up more than 20 volunteers to travel to the Feed My Sheep Food Pantry in Mineral, Ohio, to assist with various projects. This is students' second MLK Day visit to the pantry.
"We walked into the pantry last year and saw that it's very rough," said UCM Spiritual Director Evan Young, who helped organize the center's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. "There's molding carpet, haphazardly made shelves and a parking lot covered with a huge wood pile. In one afternoon, college students can make a difference there."
The students will depart Athens at 1 p.m. and return about 5. People interested in joining the group should contact UCM at 740-593-7301.
The university's Community Service office is coordinating another service project, its annual Love Luggage effort that assists Athens area foster children. People are asked to donate backpacks, toiletries, school supplies and other small items by 5 p.m. Friday. Items can be brought to Baker University Center 355. More information is available by calling 740-593-4027.
"We use this event to build awareness that there are more than 200 foster children in Athens County," said Kevin Smith, the university's assistant director for leadership and community service. "These local children need the luggage because, unfortunately, they move often." In some cases, he said, the luggage offers the children's only alternative to using garbage bags to carry their belongings.
Community celebration
University students also have helped plan the New Life Assembly of God Church's second annual Community Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. The 6 p.m. event will include dancing, gospel music and reflections on King's service commitment to people of all backgrounds. Pastors Phillip Foster from New Life Assembly of God and Leon Forte from Grace Christian Center will lead the celebration, which is free and open to the public.
"Behind Dr. King's vision is social, economic and political empowerment, and our purpose is to unite the community to come together for this cause," said Ohio University sophomore Sheldon Andrus, who helped coordinate the event. "We're celebrating the work he did in church, but also focusing on his empowerment of people of all different backgrounds."
Performances by Ohio University alumni Greg and Kim Ramey and student groups Divine Covering, Hillel Dancers and Essence will be featured. There also will be a multimedia presentation about King, and an offering will be taken to benefit the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington, D.C.
