NMU students participate in MLK Day of Service

For some Northern Michigan University students, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day means more than just a day off.

The NMU Volunteer Center partnered with Habitat for Humanity Monday to participate in MLK Day of Service.  It is the first time the volunteer center has participated in the day of service.

From painting at the U.P. Children’s Museum to socializing with the animals at Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter, Monday was all about charitable service.

“We’re sending groups of students out in the community to do different service projects,” NMU volunteer Carrie Grishaber said.  “Here we are painting chairs for the U.P. Children’s Museum.”

“We just wanted a good service project that would really benefit them.  They’re a great non profit and we like to help them out in whatever way they need.”

One of the big projects involved painting the interior of a house in Ishpeming.

“Today we’re painting.  We have to tape, then we’re going to start painting,” NMU Volunteer Center’s Volunteer Coordinator Seth Kratz said.  “The morning group is going to do the first coat and the second group will hopefully get the second coat, so we’ll have the whole house painted in a day.”

The Volunteer Center sees MLK Day as a great opportunity to get out and give back and encourages students to volunteer however they can.

The center considers itself a middle man, locating volunteer opportunities and then passing them along to students via email.  Those offering volunteer opportunities contact the center, which then sends out a mass email.

Interested students can then contact the original party directly.

Other events that draw volunteers include Make a Difference Day and the many blood drives that are held throughout the area.