JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4JAX was a partner for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, honoring King’s legacy through volunteer projects across Duval, Clay and Nassau counties.
Bethel Church in North Riverside was one hub of activity, where volunteers of all ages gathered for community outreach projects. Melanie Patz, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida, said the event drew more than 550 volunteers.
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“This tradition has been going on for more than 10 years,” Patz said.
Organizers filled the day with service and song, including performances of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and children singing “This Little Light of Mine.” Erica La Spada, director of volunteer and community engagement for United Way of Northeast Florida, said the work lifts up ideas of unity.
“We’re sort of lifting up those ideas of unity,” La Spada said.
Volunteers tackled tasks such as mulching, pressure washing, painting and leaf clearing at multiple sites throughout the area. At one North Riverside location, teams rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
“We’re just clearing the leaves and the landscaping today,” Allante Laster, a volunteer, said.
For some, the day was a first-time hands-on experience.
“Today’s actually my first day. Normally, we do monetary gifting, but today’s my first day actually getting hands-on,” Laster said.
Randall described volunteering as rewarding.
“You get out of community what you put into it. So it’s fulfilling to do things like this, and we have a team here — they’re not in the room with me — but it’s nice to build those relationships with our friends and our coworkers,” she said.