OXFORD, Miss. – Last January, a small group of University of Mississippi students and staff traveled to Washington to witness the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
This weekend, a second and larger UM group travels to Chicago to help improve living conditions in the president’s hometown.
Twenty-six members of the UM Black Student Union leave Friday (Jan. 15) to participate in the annual Chicago Cares’ Celebration of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Saturday (Jan. 16). They will be among more than 3,000 expected to join established Chicago Cares teams for a morning of various volunteer community projects around the Windy City.
“I am excited that our students are taking advantage of this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Valeria Ross, assistant dean of students for multicultural affairs and BSU adviser. “Volunteering is a means by which communities are built and relationships strengthened. It is awesome that our Mississippi students are taking this opportunity to participate in endeavors like these.”
BSU President Sharita Washington of Roxie, Miss., said those going on the trip are excited about participating in such a worthy cause.
“We are looking past the needs of ourselves by trying to improve those of others,” Washington said. “Martin Luther King Jr. made the statement, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for the needs of others?’ By volunteering and servicing those in and around our communities, we are continuing Dr. King’s legacy while simultaneously creating our own.”
Besides working, the UM group’s itinerary includes lunch with alumni living in the Chicago area, a visit to the Chicago History Museum and various recreational activities. The group is scheduled to return to campus Monday (Jan. 18), which is the national MLK holiday observance.
Celebration of Service is also a significant fundraiser for Chicago Cares. Corporate sponsorships and individual donations make it possible for the organization to create, manage and lead more than 200 volunteer projects each month.
For more information about Celebration of Service, visit http://chicagocares.kintera.