January 15, 2021
SIU students will commemorate MLK Day with community service
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a Day of Service. Student volunteers will be going out into the community to help local organizations on Jan. 23.
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the group sizes will be capped at nine students, and social distancing and other safety protocols will be followed.
Diverse organizations will benefit
Student volunteers will be giving of their time and energy to benefit the local community and residents in a number of ways:
- Working with Keep Carbondale Beautiful from 9 a.m. to noon, cleaning up Attucks Park, 800 N. Wall St.
- Assisting with cleaning and painting at the Eurma C. Hayes Center, 441 E. Willow St., 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.
- Helping to plant bulbs and paint a mural from 9 a.m. to noon at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois, 250 N. Springer St.
“We are excited to connect students with service in honor of Dr. King,” said Sarah Marbes, coordinator of the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism. “The service day will look a little different this year in terms of size, schedule and safety precautions, but students can still make a big impact. My hope is that volunteering shows students how they can be a positive force in the community, as Dr. King was, and helps them form a deeper connection to the Carbondale area.”
Salukis give plentifully
SIU students are very generous in community service, typically donating thousands of hours to a myriad of community organizations each year, according to Marbes. Learn more about the Saluki spirit and tradition of volunteerism by visiting cslv.siu.edu/.