CU-Lock Haven campus community participates in area service projects during annual MLK Day of Service

On Feb. 26, Lock Haven University students, faculty and staff celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by assisting with various service and civic activities during LHU's Annual MLK Day of Service event.

The day began in the Parsons Union Building with lunch and an LHU alumni panel discussion highlighting how service helped shaped their professional lives and prepared them for careers in service, education and graduate education.

Kenny Hall, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at LHU, provided a welcome address and moderated the panel before the volunteers disbursed to begin their day of service activities.

Forty seven volunteers provided 141 hours of service to seven community entities including: UPMC Lock Haven and UPMC Susquehanna, BENV Kiwanis, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Haven Cupboard, Mill Hall Lions Club and YMCA Childcare Center.

Volunteers also participated in creating 42 cards of encouragement, "Letters of Hope," that will be on display for healthcare workers at UPMC hospitals, painted 38 kindness rocks (LHU "Rocks" Kindness) that were placed throughout campus for others to find, made 90 Jared Boxes for children of the UPMC Lock Haven Hospital and filled 49 backpacks that will be donated to children entering foster care.

"The day was another display of our campus community's passion and commitment to providing assistance to the surrounding community," said Chrissy Wise, assistant director of community service at LHU. "Without hesitation, members of campus are always willing to give back in whatever way necessary. It's one way our campus is unique."