Day of Service

02/14/2014 3:19 PM

Bradley University students took advantage of a day off school to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering at the Midwest Food Bank in Peoria.

Eleven students worked at the facility on Peoria’s north side. Bradley’s Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service helped organize the volunteering.

“A lot of people don’t know that one of the things Dr. King was service, helping out communities regardless of color,” said senior Obinna Ekwueme. “We live right next to poverty at Bradley. It’s our duty to help the community and those less privileged than us.”

Norris Chase, assistant director of Multicultural Services, commended the students for taking time to serve the community a couple days before the Spring semester began.

“They made the conscious decision to come prepare food for those who don’t have it,” he said. “They’re selfless, not having to be here, not knowing media would be here. This continues Dr. King’s legacy of service, helping others and so many things that great man embodied.”

Additionally, the event brought academic lessons to life in the community.

“I appreciate Bradley taking what we’ve learned in the classroom and applying what we’ve learned one step further to helping others,” said freshman Rebekah Gudeman.

She also recognized their efforts in the broader struggle against discrimination.

“He [King] did so much against one type of discrimination and we’re helping against discrimination against the impoverished,” Gudeman added. “It’s good to do our part because he did so much to serve others.”

In addition to the day of service, Bradley joined with city residents at an annual march from the Romeo B. Garrett Multicultural Center to New Morning Star Missionary Church. The University is celebrating King and other civil rights leaders throughout the school year to remember the 50^th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.