More than 600 members of the Johns Hopkins community volunteered across parts of Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and St. Petersburg, Florida, today for the institution's second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Organized by the Johns Hopkins Office of Work, Life and Engagement and the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the event was established last year in celebration of King's legacy. University and health system employees were encouraged to devote part of their work day to participating in volunteer projects at 25 nonprofit organizations located near Johns Hopkins campuses in Baltimore and beyond. Activities included helping with children's school activities, preparing and serving meals at shelters and adult day programs, revitalizing green spaces, painting murals, and inventorying donated goods.
Proud to participate in Johns Hopkins Medicine's second annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. We're sorting donated clothes for students and formerly homeless, disabled, or low-income men and women entering or re-entering the workforce. #HopkinsBetterTogether pic.twitter.com/JwuPtMMfWj
— HoCo Gen Hospital (@HopkinsHowardC) January 25, 2019
Here in Patient Safety, we're working on cold weather kits for the MLK Day of Service! @JHM_Armstrong @HopkinsMedicine #HopkinsBetterTogether pic.twitter.com/DpfPRyJfHH
— Anna Adler-Kirkley (@AnnaKirkleyMS) January 25, 2019
"It's important to create avenues and allow time for university staff, faculty, and students to volunteer and engage with the community," says Heidi Conway, vice president for human resources at Johns Hopkins. "Volunteering and making a positive impact on our surrounding areas is a powerful way of honoring Dr. King's legacy of service and of demonstrating that Johns Hopkins isn't just in the community, but of the community."
Added Lisa Allen, chief patient experience officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine who spent the day assembling meals at Moveable Feast, the Baltimore-based food pantry and delivery service: "It's a great opportunity to give back to the community and it gives me joy to be able to help others. I feel fortunate to be able to do this."
Posted in University News, Happenings, Community
Tagged community, day of service
