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App State students, staff and faculty give back to Boone during 2022 MLK Day of Service

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Appalachian State University student volunteers work in the gardens at Hunger and Health Coalition in Boone during the university’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. Pictured in the foreground is Meredith Maiken, a senior sustainable development major from Lake Toxaway. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Student volunteers from Appalachian State University sort food items donated to the Hunger and Health Coalition in Boone during the university’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Pictured in the foreground, Appalachian State University junior Kam Miller, a communication, advertising major from Gastonia, splits wood at Helping Hands Woodlot Ministry in Boone during App State’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

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Cori Ferguson ’21, a graduate student in Appalachian State University’s industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management program, cleans the floor of the serving area at F.A.R.M. Cafe in downtown Boone. Ferguson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology-business from App State, volunteered at F.A.R.M. Cafe as part of the university’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

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Appalachian State University students work to clear and prepare raised garden beds at Boone’s Hunger and Health Coalition during App State’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

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Appalachian State University student volunteers sort and organize donated foods items at the Hunger and Health Coalition in Boone during App State’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. Photo by Kyla Willoughby

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Student volunteers from Appalachian State University help split wood at Helping Hands Woodlot Ministry in Boone during App State’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. Sophomore Rachel Rosalia, a social work major from Wilmington pictured in the foreground, is all smiles while volunteering. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Appalachian State University senior Abhaya Velmani, an English major from Cary, sweeps the kitchen area of F.A.R.M. Cafe in downtown Boone — a nonprofit, pay-what-you-can community cafe that operates primarily with the assistance of volunteers. Velmani was one of more than 50 App State students, staff and faculty who volunteered during App State’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Three Appalachian State University student volunteers pause for a photo during App State’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. More than 50 App State students, staff and faculty participated in the annual event, serving local nonprofit organizations. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Appalachian State University student volunteers display the “A Simple Gesture” bags they helped fill with donated food items as part of App State’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. A Simple Gesture, a program chapter operated by Boone’s Hunger and Health Coalition, helps keep the High Country’s food pantries and food banks stocked — helping those in the area who experience food insecurity. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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Appalachian State University student volunteers work together to clean the floor at F.A.R.M. Cafe in downtown Boone during App State’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26. Photo by Chase Reynolds

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“Today is a day to remember that the pursuit of freedom and justice is seldom an easy path. It takes all kinds of people and all kinds of action to create change, and all of us have the capacity to contribute to Dr. King’s legacy.”

Jamie Parson, App State’s interim chief diversity officer

By Jessica Stump
Posted March 2, 2022 at 11:20 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — More than 50 students, staff and faculty participated in Appalachian State University’s 2022 MLK Day of Service, Feb. 26 — marking more than two decades of Mountaineer community service in the High Country through this day of reflection, education and service.

“Today is a day to remember that the pursuit of freedom and justice is seldom an easy path. It takes all kinds of people and all kinds of action to create change, and all of us have the capacity to contribute to Dr. King’s legacy.”

Jamie Parson, App State’s interim chief diversity officer

The annual event, organized by the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL) with support from Intercultural Student Affairs, honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his message of social service, as participants accomplish challenging projects alongside community partners — all while being challenged intellectually, socially and physically.

“Today is a day to remember that the pursuit of freedom and justice is seldom an easy path. It takes all kinds of people and all kinds of action to create change, and all of us have the capacity to contribute to Dr. King’s legacy,” said App State interim Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson, who delivered remarks at the event kickoff in Plemmons Student Union.

App State Community members completed 162 volunteer hours, serving four local nonprofits: F.A.R.M Cafe, the Hunger and Health Coalition, the Volunteers-In-Parks program for Blue Ridge Parkway and Helping Hands Woodlot Ministry.

Each organization asked students to complete a service project — from splitting wood and sorting and organizing donated food items, to deep cleaning facilities and preparing gardens for spring planting.

App State’s first MLK Day of Service — formerly known as the MLK Challenge — was held in 1999 and has since become a model for campuses across the nation.

North Carolina Campus Compact, a member of a national coalition of 1,000-plus community-committed colleges and universities, wrote a $300,000 grant in 2011 to replicate the CEL program throughout the state and nation.

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Community-Engaged Leadership
Community-Engaged Leadership

The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL) engages Appalachian State University students in academic, experiential, and community-oriented programs that enhance their capacity to serve and lead in socially-responsible ways for the benefit of their local and global communities. The office comprises the former Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) and Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) offices.

Learn more
Ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. — service during COVID-19
Ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. — service during COVID-19
Jan. 15, 2021

App State’s ACT Office suggests a variety of options for how to be service-focused this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Read the story
Students contribute 1,350 service hours in App State’s 21st MLK Challenge
Students contribute 1,350 service hours in App State’s 21st MLK Challenge
Jan. 24, 2020

Around 150 students participated in Appalachian’s 21st annual MLK Challenge, contributing 1,350 hours of service to 16 local organizations. The day of reflection, education and service honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Read the story

About the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership

The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership at Appalachian State University engages students in academic, experiential and community-oriented programs that enhance their capacity to serve and lead in socially responsible ways for the benefit of their local and global communities. The office comprises the former Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) and Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) offices. Learn more at https://cel.appstate.edu.

About the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University is committed to the development of lifelong learners and leaders by engaging and challenging students within a culture of care and inclusion. The division consists of 16 units that offer activities and services to help students develop more fully by becoming global learners, fostering healthy relationships, appreciating diversity and different perspectives, understanding community responsibility, enhancing self-awareness, developing autonomy and living ethically. These units include the Career Development Center, Campus Activities, Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, Wellness and Prevention Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Service, Parent and Family Services, University Housing, Student Conduct, University Recreation, Intercultural Student Affairs, Student Legal Clinic and Off-Campus Student Services, Electronic Student Services, Child Development Center, and Staff Development and Strategic Initiatives. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“Today is a day to remember that the pursuit of freedom and justice is seldom an easy path. It takes all kinds of people and all kinds of action to create change, and all of us have the capacity to contribute to Dr. King’s legacy.”

Jamie Parson, App State’s interim chief diversity officer

Community-Engaged Leadership
Community-Engaged Leadership

The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL) engages Appalachian State University students in academic, experiential, and community-oriented programs that enhance their capacity to serve and lead in socially-responsible ways for the benefit of their local and global communities. The office comprises the former Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) and Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) offices.

Learn more
Ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. — service during COVID-19
Ways to honor Martin Luther King Jr. — service during COVID-19
Jan. 15, 2021

App State’s ACT Office suggests a variety of options for how to be service-focused this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Read the story
Students contribute 1,350 service hours in App State’s 21st MLK Challenge
Students contribute 1,350 service hours in App State’s 21st MLK Challenge
Jan. 24, 2020

Around 150 students participated in Appalachian’s 21st annual MLK Challenge, contributing 1,350 hours of service to 16 local organizations. The day of reflection, education and service honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Read the story

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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.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • 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.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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