Sigma Alpha Lambda members across the country volunteered their time, energy, and talents last month in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Members cleaned up back yards, grave sites, trails, beaches, and parks; they organized food bank shelves, packed food baskets, and loaded food delivery trucks; and they spent time with the elderly at local care facilities. They volunteered at museums, clinics, homeless shelters, schools, and teach-ins. SAL members joined together to make a difference on Martin Luther King, Jr Day this year.
Giving back in their communities had a big impact on our members. For George Washington University member Abigail Sepich, “being surrounded by my GW community, all working towards the common goal of a better world through servant leadership, was an unforgettable experience.” Montclair State University member Galia Hernandez said “volunteering always brings me a feeling of gratitude and accomplishment. There is no better feeling than giving your time to others in need.” East Tennessee State University member Nicholas Fuller summed up the day effectively: “it’s a perfect demonstration of the values that Martin Luther King, Jr. taught in his lifetime, and it’s great to see our community living in unity and working together.”
Likewise, SAL members at UTA helped an elderly woman clean up her yard through their university’s Zeb Strong MLK Day of Service, an event that brings together over a thousand UTA students to visit some 120 service sites across Arlington. Participants felt good about the contributions they made to their community, while also benefitting from time spent together getting to know one another. SAL members considered Dr. King’s words: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” They answered with a resounding turnout. UTA chapter president Wes Hampton noted that “witnessing others’ willingness to help shows that Arlington is a community of people who care to support those in need, and SAL members were fortunate to be a part of it.”
Thank you to all SAL members who practiced the servant leadership aspect of our organization’s founding principles by volunteering on MLK Day this year.
