Making new friends, serving the community and building new connections are some of the many things one can gain from community service. Whether someone decides to serve by themselves or in a group, there is no doubt that their community will leave them with memories they can’t forget.
There are many types of community service to choose from, as the options are endless. Some are long-term commitments, while others are only a one-time event. No matter how long or short the event is, it always feels good to give back.
Two Georgia college students chose to be the change they wanted to see in their community. Georgia State Junior Rashid Jalloh and Gloria Clark, a Brenau University graduate, spent their holiday season rounding up donations and supplies to support their blanket and coat drive.
“This was our first time ever doing a coat drive,” Jalloh said. “We were inspired by seeing that there was a need to help those without homes and keep them warm during a rough time like this.”
The duo did not let the ongoing pandemic get in the way of doing what’s right and giving back to those in need. They saw it as a simple task, as they see people struggling in their community every day.
“Serving and reaching out to those in need wasn’t [as] hard as we thought it would be,” Clark said. “There are still plenty of displaced individuals in the Metro Atlanta area, so luckily, we were able to deliver straight to them.”
Heavily impacted by COVID-19, many organizations have not been able to serve the community face-to-face. Luckily, Georgia State’s Civic Engagement Office will be conducting the 2021 MLK Day of Service as both a virtual and in-person event.
Assistant Civic Engagement Director Byron Jones described how the university will conduct this event in the safest way possible while still allowing students to fully participate in person or in the comfort of their own living space.
“For in-person projects, we have been very selective with the organizations we are working alongside to make sure that not only university guidelines but also CDC guidelines are followed to keep volunteers safe,” Jones said. “Many of the in-person projects will be outdoor, open-air projects, which will also help limit the exposure to COVID-19.”
This year will mark the 35th Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The day will consist of events ranging from “lectures, discussions, celebration and community service opportunities that reflect his dream and vision for civil rights and social justice,” according to Georgia State’s Civic Engagement site.
Although the pair do not plan to participate in this event, they plan to make their coat drive a tradition and possibly create something greater for the Atlanta community in the future.
“We hope to create a house that can actually house the homeless instead of just the clothing, or maybe [we can house] both,” Jalloh said. “It was a great experience to be able to do something bigger than ourselves.”
