The first time I recognized the importance of MLK day was as a freshman in high school. I remember it because it was one of the only times when my parents took me out of school for a reason other than sickness. My dad drove me out to Dearborn to an event being held at the University of Michigan- Dearborn. Hundreds of students had gathered together to celebrate a man’s life in the way that he would have wanted… in service to each other. I remember being struck by the power of the gathered students and their intense commitment to service. As I arrived back at school for the afternoon, it was soon clear to me that today was a day like any other for most people. In comparing the value that students at U of M Dearborn were getting out of their day, versus what students at my high school were getting there was no comparison. The importance of taking time to serve another person and reflect on a man’s life who so shaped our own has stuck with me over the years and I was lucky enough this year to be charged with planning service for Challenge Detroit Fellows this MLK day.With the help of fellows Jackie Smith, Sarah Grieb, and Cornetta Lane working with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan the process could not have gone smoother. 8 fellows (and Sarah’s mom) as pictured below, joined the nearly 50 other volunteers at Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit in packing and organizing food to be donated to families in need.
Pictured from left to right Sam Brennan, Ali Beydoun, Cerima Thomas, Jared Berman, Jackie Smith, Kathy Tian, Cornetta Lane, Sarah Grieb, Sarah’s mom
Following a brief talk on safety and the importance of the work we would be doing today the 60 odd volunteers were broken into two groups. For our group the main task that we took on was packing 25 lbs. boxes with a variety of canned and dried goods. The challenge was in making sure each box was providing the right balance of vegetables, meat, and grains/pasta. Pictured below are some fellows nearing completion of the their food pantry boxes
The service took a little over 2 hours and by 11:30am we were wrapping up and getting ready to head back to “normal” life. There were 3 things that I walked away with from MLK day 2013:
- It was wonderful to be able to serve families in need at such a wonderful organization such as Gleaners, and to see the amazing turnout and enthusiasm of the volunteers serving.
- I was somewhat disappointed that even with the great turnout there couldn’t have been more people involved. I wish that more people would be able to take the “day on” and serve, even if just for the morning.
- I cannot wait to be serving on MLK day 2014!
