CLC Seeks Volunteers for Martin Luther King Day of Service

To celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the College of Lake County, in partnership with United Way of Lake County, is seeking up to 250 volunteers to work on several service projects on Saturday, Feb. 2 that help increase educational opportunities in local communities.

Volunteers age 10 and above are invited to volunteer as are family groups, church and youth groups, scout groups and CLC staff and students.

Registration is from 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. in room C005 (C Wing Auditorium) on the CLC Grayslake campus, 19351 W. Washington St., in Grayslake.

A breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. along with a presentation on Dr. King’s legacy and performances by the Word of Life Ministries choir and praise dance team.

Volunteers will participate in the volunteer “challenge” by working in small groups. They will work at various sites from 9 a.m. -11 a.m., after which volunteers will return to CLC for lunch and to participate in several creative activities to help them reflect on volunteerism and how it relates to Dr. King’s work to promote peace and justice.

Volunteers will work on a variety of projects at social service agencies and schools in Lake County, providing their own transportation. The sites include Vernon Hills Park District, The Book Bridge, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Bernie’s Book Bank and SWALCO. Volunteers will also help Career and Placement Services host an open house for job seekers.

“As the need for service continues to grow, today we honor Dr. King by giving back and making an impact on our local communities,” said Sylvia Johnson, director of the CLC Career and Placement Services office. “Today and throughout the year, we are seeing Americans using the power of service to strengthen their own and each other’s economic security and making a real difference in our local communities.”

King Portrayal Friday

To provide context and preparation for the MLK Collegiate Challenge, the College of Lake County will also host dramatic portrayals of Madame CJ Walker and Martin Luther King Jr. by  Geyla Jones and Marcus Gentry at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1 in room C005.

“National Days of Service provide each of us with an opportunity to join neighbors and local leaders to tackle community challenges and strengthen the nation,” said Carolyn Brodnicki, service learning and cooperative education coordinator at CLC. “As more families and communities need assistance, we are accepting the challenge put forth by Dr. King to make a difference. We are very excited about again joining this national effort.”

To register, visit www.mlkatclc2013.eventbrite.com.

Submitted by the College of Lake County