COVID-19 Doesn’t Hinder MLK Jr. Day of Service

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Students from Bob Jones University volunteer at Conestee Park on MLK Jr. Day

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, which is dedicated to outreach in the local community, has become a tradition at BJU over the past four years. It continues this year with the addition of health protocols and precautions.

Hundreds of BJU students have participated in a variety of volunteer projects throughout the Greenville area at dozens of nonprofits and organizations such as Miracle Hill, Meals on Wheels and the Greenville County Juvenile Detention Center.

See Also: MLK Jr. Holiday Lauds Peaceful Protester

The Center for Global Opportunities prioritized the student body’s health and safety this year by limiting the number of volunteer opportunities in the community. Students chose between serving at Conestee Park, the new home of Bruins baseball, or helping faculty and staff with small projects.

The Projects

The CGO’s coordinator of outreach worked on providing students with outreach opportunities that would be safe yet create a lasting impact. There were 150 volunteer spaces available for work at Conestee Park. “This (was) the largest project that we have done on Martin Luther King Jr. Day within the past two years,” he said.

The other opportunity was outdoor house projects for faculty and staff. Several societies, discipleship groups and Bruins sports teams signed up to assist with raking, mulching, painting and other yard work.

The Heart to Serve

Hannah Needham, a sophomore communication student, volunteered for the second year in a row. “It is always nice to reach outside of ourselves. I like helping people do things that they might not be able to or have the time to do themselves,” Needham said.

Melena Jenks, a junior communication disorders student, volunteered for the first time and helped with the Conestee Park project. “I love helping people,” she said. “However, it is sometimes difficult to volunteer as homework picks up. This is an excellent opportunity since it’s early in the semester and there is very little homework. I’ll be able to fully focus on the work without worrying about homework.”

“In Mark, Jesus tells us that we must love our neighbors as ourselves,” he added. “As Christians, outreach gives us an opportunity to love our neighbors and share the love of Jesus Christ.”

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