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A 2011 MLK Challenge volunteer wishes a retiree happy birthday at Appalachian Brian Estates. Photo submitted

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Appalachian State University students prepare to clean beneath mats at the Children’s Playhouse of Boone during 2011’s MLK Challenge. Photo submitted

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During 2012’s MLK Challenge, students help Grace Builders of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church with their “Helping Hands Woodlot” ministry located by the Hunger and Health Coalition, which keeps local residents stocked with firewood during the winter. Photo by Marie Freeman

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Appalachian State University student volunteers sort recyclables and paper at the Community Care Clinic located in Boone as part of the 2012 MLK Challenge. Photo by Marie Freeman

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The revitalization of downtown Boone’s Appalachian Theatre benefitted from student volunteers during 2015’s MLK Challenge. Photo by Marie Freeman

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Appalachian State University students help out at Watauga Humane Society during the 2015 MLK Challenge. Photo by Marie Freeman

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Dirty hands and hard work at Leola Community Garden. Appalachian students worked in a local community garden as part of the 2017 MLK Challenge. Photo by Marie Freeman

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A 2017 MLK Challenge volunteer paints at the Welcome Home Thriftique, a not-for-profit, upscale thrift store supporting and operated by Hospitality House of Boone. Photo by Marie Freeman

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An Appalachian student cleans a wall of F.A.R.M. Cafe, a nonprofit, pay-what-you-can community cafe in downtown Boone, as part of the 2017 MLK Challenge. Photo by Marie Freeman

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Volunteers freshen up a room at the Boone Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) center during the 2017 MLK Challenge. Photo by Marie Freeman

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Appalachian State University students organize children’s books at Watauga Public Library as part of the 2018 MLK Challenge. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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During the 2018 MLK Challenge, two Appalachian students organize donations at Ram’s Rack Thrift Shop in Boone. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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As part of the 2018 MLK Challenge, two Appalachian students help remove wood and other materials from the basement of Boone-based Wine to Water, a nonprofit dedicated to providing clean drinking water to communities around the world. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Appalachian students sort through donations received over the winter holidays at the Hospitality House in Boone during the 2019 MLK Challenge. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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During the 2019 MLK Challenge, Appalachian State University students dish up lunch at the Hospitality House in Boone. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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MLK Challenge volunteers clean stalls at Horse Helpers of the High Country, an equine rescue and advocacy organization in Zionville, as part of the 2019 MLK Challenge. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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MLK Challenge: 20 years of service at Appalachian

By Alex Jansen
Posted Jan. 25, 2019 at 5:51 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University students, faculty and staff have answered a call to service for 20 years through the university’s MLK Challenge — a day of reflection, education and service organized by Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT), whose mission is to cultivate responsible citizenship through education and action.

In this annual event, the Appalachian Community works alongside community partners on service projects for local nonprofit organizations to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his message of social service.

This photo gallery looks back at volunteers providing valuable service throughout the community — from sorting recyclables and paper at the Community Care Clinic, to organizing children’s books at Watauga Public Library and cleaning every nook and cranny of F.A.R.M. Cafe in downtown Boone.

Related links

20th anniversary of Appalachian’s MLK Challenge draws more than 200 participants
20th anniversary of Appalachian’s MLK Challenge draws more than 200 participants

Appalachian’s program has become a model for other campuses across the state and nation

Jan. 25, 2019

The annual event honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, as students accomplish challenging projects alongside community partners.

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Appalachian’s 2018 MLK Challenge honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — more than 200 participate
Appalachian’s 2018 MLK Challenge honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — more than 200 participate
Jan. 25, 2018

More than 200 students, faculty, staff and alumni devote a day of service to 17 local charitable organizations.

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Photos from MLK Challenge 2017
Photos from MLK Challenge 2017
Jan. 30, 2017

Appalachian State University students gave over 1,200 combined hours of local community service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy during the MLK Challenge held Jan. 21. A total of 23 charitable organizations in the Boone area were served. All Photos by Marie Freeman

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Are you up for Appalachian’s MLK Challenge?
Are you up for Appalachian’s MLK Challenge?
Jan. 15, 2016

Students make a difference while honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during Appalachian’s MLK Challenge.

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About Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT)

Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) provides service experiences as opportunities to connect and engage with others to build authentic relationships, stimulate critical thinking and skill building, and recognize individual impact and responsibility to the local and global community. Between the 2004–05 and 2018–19 academic years, nearly $25.5 million of value has been contributed to the community via Appalachian State University’s Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) program (over 1.91 million hours of service plus $781,419 in funds raised) using the $25.43 per hour national standard for volunteer time. ACT partners with over 160 local nonprofits. Initiatives include blood drives, hunger and homeless awareness events, fundraising for local charities and alternative service experiences. Learn more at https://act.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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