Service projects honor MLK

By Kristin Wright
Daily Staff Reporter

Participants in the philanthropical efforts of Project Serve hoped to give tangible meaning yesterday to the theme of the University's celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, "Why We Can't Wait."

Project Serve members and other University students came together in an efforts to continue Project Serve's annual community service drive.

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Julie Wong and Heidie Savin help to knit a sleeping bag for Knitwits. The non-profit group will donate the finished products to the homeless of Ann Arbor. Working with Knitwits was just one of many Project Serve volunteer events held yesterday.

Jennifer Johnson, a member of Project Serve's Campus Programming Division, said the theme of the service project, "Acting On a Dream," was inspired by a speech given by Coretta Scott King, emphasizing the importance of realizing the goals of her late husband.

"The point is to honor him in a way that carries out his dream," Johnson said.

Three hundred students and site leaders from Project Serve assembled in the Chemistry Building for a brief commemoration of the holiday and then split into groups to go to various sites in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Detroit.

FocusHope, the Ronald McDonald House, Latino Family Services and Recycle Ann Arbor were among the 26 organizations that volunteered yesterday.

Johnson said that sending students to different sites makes it possible for students to feel more involved in the events surrounding MLK Day.

"We try to get a more narrow focus on issues because it's more involving for students," Johnson said. "This is more for students who have really never done community service before. It's to let them try it out and see how they feel."

The Indian-American Student Association and the Muslim Student Association expressed the importance of cultural unity by joining together for Knitwits, a community service project officially known as the Bedroll Project for the Homeless.

"I think it's really cool that they have these kinds of days. I wish they happened more often," said LSA junior Sonia Mathews. "It's bringing different groups together on campus."

Knitwits is a group of University students, alumni, faculty and other volunteers that provides toiletries and sews bedding for the homeless. All supplies for Knitwits are provided by donations from the community.

Knitwits staff member Tina Smith said she was impressed with the student participation during yesterday's holiday.

"I think it's absolutely wonderful," Smith said. "This is the best turnout we've ever had and we've only done it twice."

Students transformed drapes donated by the Michigan League into bedrolls for the homeless. They removed linings from drapes and then sewed sheets, thick blankets and padding in its place. Inside the bedrolls, Knitwit members placed T-shirts and assorted toiletries, then tied the bundle with two men's ties.

Other students at the Knitwits site made maize and blue mittens and scarves for the homeless out of fleece scraps.

LSA junior Nick Pittman said he feels a sense of accomplishment for using the day to participate in an activity with such great meaning behind it.

"I'm glad that I can help out in any way I can," Pittman said.

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