MLK event inspires students to serve
by Lauren K. Ohnesorge
More than 200 Appalachian State University students chose
community service over sleep Monday as the Martin Luther King Challenge returned to the High
Country.
Their mission was to make a difference.
Students broke into groups and spread out across the High Country to 17 charities, including Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute, the Children's Playhouse, Horse Helpers of the High Country and Habitat for Humanity.
“I think it's very important for everyone to recognize it's always good to give back,” graduate student Rich Long said.
Long was one of 11 students volunteering time at the Community Care Clinic.
Julia Dale, Community Care Clinic volunteer coordinator, said the students, there to give the facility its first “big cleaning” since it opened in the space five years ago, were a welcomed resource.
“This is fantastic,” she said, adding that just by cleaning, students were helping to further the mission of the Community Care Clinic to help the area's uninsured access medical care.
“About one out of every three people in Watauga County are uninsured,” Dale said.
Across the parking lot at the Hospitality House, students split their time between food preparation and organizing donations. The staff was impressed with their commitment.
“It's amazing,” WeCAN coordinator Jenn Alexander said. “It's amazing that they will come out on their day off.”Freshman Emily Rowe said that's precisely why she came.
“I wanted to make myself useful on the day off from school,” she said. “I normally spend Martin Luther King Day sleeping.”
Freshman Sarah Bohn said community service expands the college experience.
“So far in my college career, it's been self-centered,” she said. “It's what classes are good for me, what decisions are good for me. … At college, you're surrounded by a lot of great people and have the opportunity to benefit each other. I want to take advantage of that.”
Hospitality House food service coordinator Kit Kerley said groups like the MLK Challenge are more than appreciated; they are vital to day-to-day operations of the shelter, the sole homeless shelter serving seven counties in western North Carolina.
“We rely heavily on volunteer groups to help in the daily requirements of running the facility,” Kerley said. “And they do a great job for us.”
Freshman Hannah Krcmar spent her Monday chopping wood for Grace Builders. That firewood that will heat area homes.
“It's my first couple of days on campus and I was just looking for something to do,” she said.
Grace's Dan Koppenhader said she made the right choice.
“Extra hands are always welcome, that's for sure,” he said.
Thanks to groups like sorority Delta Zeta, even more people committed Monday. Delta Zeta is one of the groups that required some of its members to attend the challenge.
“It's also a bonding thing,” Delta Zeta Alannah Wilson said.
Wilson, along with fellow freshman Catherine Shochtman, was among those at the Boone Mall hosting an adoption fair for the Watauga Humane Society.
“I love to volunteer and I always have a really great time and it's a great way to start the semester off,” Shochtman said.
Add in some adorable puppies, and it's a fun way to spend a day, she said.
At what used to be the Fountain Restaurant at Boone Drug on King Street, students busied themselves cleaning, prepping the facility for what will be F.A.R.M. (Feed All Regardless of Means) Cafè in April.
“It's extremely valuable to have them here,” F.A.R.M. volunteer coordinator Angela Rockwell said. “Most of the board of directors have full-time jobs. It really helps to have extra hands.”
Sponsored by Appalachian and the Community Together, the MLK Challenge is a full day of service intended to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. The event is in its 13th year.
Other Monday challenges included stocking the food pantry at Parkway Elementary, planning a birthday party at Appalachian Brian estates, building and repairing bird cages at the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute, insulating a cabin and building raised planter beds at The Farm at Mollie's Branch, compiling hygiene and cleaning buckets for women leaving OASIS for the Appalachian Women's Fund, installing an electric fence at Horse Helpers of the High Country, cleaning Joy Cove Group Home, building and repairing cages at Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary, working on a house at Habitat for Humanity, patching concrete at Sugar Grove Developmental Day School, painting a classroom at Mountain Pathways Montessori School and helping USpace move to a location.
Their mission was to make a difference.
Students broke into groups and spread out across the High Country to 17 charities, including Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute, the Children's Playhouse, Horse Helpers of the High Country and Habitat for Humanity.
“I think it's very important for everyone to recognize it's always good to give back,” graduate student Rich Long said.
Long was one of 11 students volunteering time at the Community Care Clinic.
Julia Dale, Community Care Clinic volunteer coordinator, said the students, there to give the facility its first “big cleaning” since it opened in the space five years ago, were a welcomed resource.
“This is fantastic,” she said, adding that just by cleaning, students were helping to further the mission of the Community Care Clinic to help the area's uninsured access medical care.
“About one out of every three people in Watauga County are uninsured,” Dale said.
Across the parking lot at the Hospitality House, students split their time between food preparation and organizing donations. The staff was impressed with their commitment.
“It's amazing,” WeCAN coordinator Jenn Alexander said. “It's amazing that they will come out on their day off.”Freshman Emily Rowe said that's precisely why she came.
“I wanted to make myself useful on the day off from school,” she said. “I normally spend Martin Luther King Day sleeping.”
Freshman Sarah Bohn said community service expands the college experience.
“So far in my college career, it's been self-centered,” she said. “It's what classes are good for me, what decisions are good for me. … At college, you're surrounded by a lot of great people and have the opportunity to benefit each other. I want to take advantage of that.”
Hospitality House food service coordinator Kit Kerley said groups like the MLK Challenge are more than appreciated; they are vital to day-to-day operations of the shelter, the sole homeless shelter serving seven counties in western North Carolina.
“We rely heavily on volunteer groups to help in the daily requirements of running the facility,” Kerley said. “And they do a great job for us.”
Freshman Hannah Krcmar spent her Monday chopping wood for Grace Builders. That firewood that will heat area homes.
“It's my first couple of days on campus and I was just looking for something to do,” she said.
Grace's Dan Koppenhader said she made the right choice.
“Extra hands are always welcome, that's for sure,” he said.
Thanks to groups like sorority Delta Zeta, even more people committed Monday. Delta Zeta is one of the groups that required some of its members to attend the challenge.
“It's also a bonding thing,” Delta Zeta Alannah Wilson said.
Wilson, along with fellow freshman Catherine Shochtman, was among those at the Boone Mall hosting an adoption fair for the Watauga Humane Society.
“I love to volunteer and I always have a really great time and it's a great way to start the semester off,” Shochtman said.
Add in some adorable puppies, and it's a fun way to spend a day, she said.
At what used to be the Fountain Restaurant at Boone Drug on King Street, students busied themselves cleaning, prepping the facility for what will be F.A.R.M. (Feed All Regardless of Means) Cafè in April.
“It's extremely valuable to have them here,” F.A.R.M. volunteer coordinator Angela Rockwell said. “Most of the board of directors have full-time jobs. It really helps to have extra hands.”
Sponsored by Appalachian and the Community Together, the MLK Challenge is a full day of service intended to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. The event is in its 13th year.
Other Monday challenges included stocking the food pantry at Parkway Elementary, planning a birthday party at Appalachian Brian estates, building and repairing bird cages at the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute, insulating a cabin and building raised planter beds at The Farm at Mollie's Branch, compiling hygiene and cleaning buckets for women leaving OASIS for the Appalachian Women's Fund, installing an electric fence at Horse Helpers of the High Country, cleaning Joy Cove Group Home, building and repairing cages at Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary, working on a house at Habitat for Humanity, patching concrete at Sugar Grove Developmental Day School, painting a classroom at Mountain Pathways Montessori School and helping USpace move to a location.