MLK Day of Service hosted by PSU students in McKeesport

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Students from five different Penn State University campuses in Western Pennsylvania joined forces in McKeesport Monday to complete service projects in memory of the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Jeff Ballou, news editor for the Americas at Al Jazeera Media Network’s English language channel, spoke at Penn State Greater Allegheny on Monday about the life and mission of MLK. He encouraged students from Penn State’s, Beaver, DuBois, Fayette – Eberly, Greater Allegheny and New Kensington campuses to be the change they want to see in the university and in the world before sending them out across the region to volunteer their time at either Auberle in McKeesport, Beverly’s Birthdays in North Huntingdon, Bible Center Church of Homewood, Irwin-based All But Furgotten animal rescue or the Salvation Army family donation center.
Prior to heading out to serve the region, PSUGA Chancellor Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson reminded students that this year’s MLK holiday marks the 25th anniversary of the day of service. She explained that the holiday is observed each year on the third Monday in January and is known as “a day on, not a day off.”
She said MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
Legislation was signed in 1983 to mark the birthday of Dr. King.

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