The National Pan-Hellenic Council Spent MLK Day Volunteering in the Athens Community

The National Pan-Hellenic Council at the University of Georgia spent Martin Luther King Day volunteering across the Athens community. In Athens, the MLK Day of Service has been recognized as a day on rather than a day off to serve the local community. 

Students and members of the community have annually formed committees to organize volunteer opportunities at various site locations in the Athens area. UGA’s NPHC organizations attended and volunteered at five of the 20+ location sites offered.  

Information regarding three of the sites NPHC and their members served at during this year’s day of service can be found below: 

Joy Village: Volunteers performed outside tasks involving the clearing of debris and raking leaves from the surrounding schoolyard alongside cleaning the streets of trash. Inside the school, deep cleaning occurred in offices, classrooms, and the cafeteria. NPHC members also organized newly donated books in the library. 

Brooklyn Cemetery: Volunteers assisted with landscaping to clear pathways and covered graves. Volunteers also filled sunken graves and sprayed herbicides to reduce overgrowing of invasive plant species. 

Teachers Reuse Store: Volunteers helped with sorting, organizing, and preparing materials in the store. This included new books, furniture, and classroom supplies. Students also assisted in recycling and decluttering classrooms. 

This year’s event featured t-shirts, refreshments, and a performance by Athens Voices of Truth. Additionally, keynote speaker Rev. James Kendrick of East Friendship Baptist Church spoke to students and volunteers.