APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Students at Lawrence University volunteered in the Fox Cities community Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The university did not hold classes and provided volunteer opportunities on and off campus all day long.
Students started their day painting rocks with uplifting pictures and messages.
Some rocks went to Eagle Point Senior Living, others the students took with them.
“If they go to downtown Appleton, drop them off in different little locations around the sidewalk. Or take them with them and pass them on to friends,” explained student volunteer Amellalli Herrera Alvarez. She also works at Lawrence’s Center for Community Engagement & Social Change, which organized the day of service.
Some of the other activities held on campus Monday included making dog toys for a shelter, writing positive and encouraging messages on index cards for domestic and sexual abuse survivors, and coloring coasters for an adult shelter.
Organizers say these volunteer opportunities tie in perfectly with the day.
“We do this every year just because it’s important for students to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. and how we can build that bridge into the community. It’s all about reflecting — what can we do to continue the good work of Dr. Martin Luther Kind Jr?” said CCE/Career Center Coordinator Michelle Buchinger.
Some students ventured off campus to different organizations in the community, one of them being Prevent Suicide Fox Cities where they prepared awareness materials, including cards and rubber ducks with a message.
“We’re so into sending out texts and e-mails and we don’t really make human contact as much as we would like to. I just think it’s really nice to go to the mailbox, open up an envelope addressed to me and that there’s a really special card in there,” explained Prevent Suicide Fox Cities Executive Director Cindy Reffke.
The cards go to people affected by suicide, and the ducks are given away at sporting events to spread the word.
Throughout each event, students and community members say they are proud to honor Dr. King’s legacy in a positive way.
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