WSU Participates in MLK Week of Service
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University will host a week of service activities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 16-21. Students and community members will continue the legacy of King’s work through service projects and events that benefit Ogden and the surrounding area.
The theme for the week of service is “In service, in work, one community.” Betty Sawyer, WSU’s transition programs and partnerships coordinator, said the theme is a call for people to come together to address challenges that impact their community.
“Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to me, represents a time to reflect on the past from a national, local and personal perspective,” Sawyer said. “More importantly, this day should be one where we are deliberate and intentional about our own actions. As we build the ‘beloved community’ that Dr. King espoused and envisioned, are we willing to reach outside our comfort zone to take a stand for justice, to take a stand for fairness, to take a stand to embrace those who may be different from yourself and do the hard work that comes with doing so?”
Black Scholars United will host a film and discussion as a prelude to the week of service activities at Weber State University Davis Building 2 Room 111, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. Black Scholars United President Ikwo Frank said the club is excited to participate in the event, which is part of the National Youth Mentor Program. Local youth have been invited to the discussion.
The kickoff event is a breakfast and freedom march, Jan. 16 at 9 a.m. in the Marshall White Center (222 28th St., Ogden). The breakfast, which is free and open to the public, will also include a program and discussion hosted by the NAACP Ogden branch. Following the breakfast, participants will gather and march from the Marshall White Center to the Ogden Amphitheater.
“I hope this year's event expresses a sense of belonging in City of Ogden, and this would encourage others to participate in the development of a healthy community,” said Stanley Ellington, president of the NAACP Ogden branch. “We will use a panel with various individuals to raise the awareness about one or two community issues. Hopefully, a few people will make a commitment to participate in the community building effort.”
Service events will continue on campus and throughout the community for the rest of the week.
Jan. 17, 5-7 p.m.: Volunteers will help stock and organize food at the Catholic Community Services’ Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank (2504 F Ave., Ogden).
Jan. 18, 4-6 p.m.: Volunteers will help teach youth the importance of a healthy lifestyle through exercise and play at Youth Impact (2305 Grant Ave., Ogden). Youth Impact provides a safe place for children to learn, socialize and grow.
Jan. 19, 5-7 p.m.: Volunteers will make fleece blankets that Your Community Connection, a family crisis center, will distribute to local families in need of warmth this winter. Participants will meet in the WSU Shepherd Union Building, Ballroom A.
Jan. 20, 4-5:30 p.m.: Volunteers will work with children from the YMCA to teach them the importance of diversity through hands-on lessons. Participants will meet in the WSU Wildcat Theater.
Jan. 21, 9-11 a.m.: Volunteers will help facilitate and participate in a volleyball game with students from the DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts and Special Olympics athletes. Participants will meet in the WSU Swenson Gym.
"I am truly honored to be part of the planning and implementation of this years MLK Week of Service with the collaboration of many amazing individuals,” said Danielle Collier, the special service events chair for the service team at the Center for Community Engaged Learning. “As we will be working with a variety of local nonprofits, this week presents a wonderful opportunity to find a passion for service while giving back to the community. Our goal is for volunteers to serve in appreciation and remembrance of Dr. King's values: equality, respect and love."
Volunteers are still needed for all events, and WSU students will receive WeberSync credit for any of the events they help with.
The week of service is sponsored by WSU’s Center for Community Engaged Learning, WSU’s Diversity & Inclusive Programs, the NAACP Ogden branch and Black Scholars United.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • rachelbadali@weber.edu- Contact:
Betty Sawyer, transition programs and partnerships coordinator
801-626-8516 • bettysawyer@weber.eduDanielle Collier, CCEL special service events chair for the service team
801-626-7737 • daniellecollier@weber.edu