MLK Day of Service Review
Written by: Kharis Ott
From playing with puppies to packing diapers, SCDS’ second annual MLK Day of Service was no doubt a success. To start the day, Mr. Lloyd Campbell, an accomplished inspirational speaker, gave an exciting opening address. From building schools in Nigeria to starting non-profits, Mr. Campbell embodies the idea of service. Though tearing up a twenty-dollar bill and giving two away may seem unorthodox, Campbell taught students the value of giving back and how one can get just as much, if not more, joy from giving as receiving. After the assembly, the high school dispersed all over campus to work with a wide variety of nonprofits. This year, Country Day worked with a total of twenty-seven nonprofit organizations, including One Love, Horizons, Emmaus House, and many more.
Paxton Towe, a student ambassador for the Red Cross, describes service as “giving back… doing something outside of [your] comfort zone just to help others.” He worked with a representative from the American Red Cross to teach fourth graders about blood. “It was good to educate them on something that’s pretty complex,” Towe says, “actually, the same day I had an anatomy quiz on similar stuff.” Minus the anatomy quiz, the real value was teaching kids about the blood donation process. In the words of Towe, “It’s… how they can save lives.”
Another highlight of the day was working with Renegade Paws Rescue. Students had the opportunity to learn about dog welfare in Georgia, both positive and negative. Georgia is fifth in the nation for most euthanizations of animals, but Renegade Paws has been working year-round to save animals from kill shelters and unite them with owners. On a happier note, students from across SCDS loved playing with the puppies in their adorable pajamas. Elementary kids, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and teachers alike all loved holding the pups.
Overall, SCDS’ MLK Day of Service was a hit. This day gives students the opportunity to learn about important issues within our own community. Hannah Burt, a senior on the service council has always loved helping others, and in many ways this is how she does it. In her words, “Service means helping others without judgment. Service is prioritizing your community. Service can be picking up trash or helping a neighbor, but it can also be volunteering with a nonprofit organization.” Service can be big or small, but what matters is that someone is doing it. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” So thank you, everyone, for giving back this MLK Day, and I hope you take the time to help others year round.
