Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a Legacy Day of Service

For the ninth consecutive year, Spring Arbor University hosted The Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Service Day Project. This initiative is part of a national community service movement.

Over 100 students, alumni and community volunteers braved the frigid temperatures and strong winds to participate. Volunteers convened in the Michigan Theatre in downtown Jackson before dispersing to assigned service locations. The event started with a prayer from Bishop Ira Combs of Jackson’s Greater Bible Way Temple, who asked the crowd to rejoice in celebration for King’s life.

“Martin Luther King [Jr.] didn’t get to see this day,” Combs said. “He didn’t have a day to honor him. He was out to be lynched, he was out to be killed.” Rev. James Hines, pastor of Lily Missionary Baptist Church, delivered the keynote address sharing with students and volunteers “the power of staying focused.”

This community service initiative, led by the Office for Intercultural Relations and the Office for Institutional Diversity, reached organizations beyond Jackson County including Albion, Lansing, and Somerset. The service projects ranged from painting in schools, churches and the downtown Jackson YMCA, to polishing the floors and benches at Horton Congregational Church.

Kevin Brown, chief diversity officer at SAU’s Office for Institutional Diversity, said “This is a call to action. It’s an opportunity for our students and community members to work together and to lend a hand to organizations that serve those in need in our community, which ultimately moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision.”