Two of out three of Dillard students who signed up for “A Day of Service” to commemorate Martin Luther King’s birthday actually showed up Jan. 18, according to the coordinator.
Miss Dillard Carmelita Foster said 304 students registered for the 24th Annual Week for Peace project and 220, or 65 percent, showed up. The goal was to have students from Dillard, Xavier, Loyola and Tulane universities unite to give back to the community at various sites under the theme “Change: From Rhetoric to Action.”
Two of the 34 project sites were with Green Light New Orleans and Ferncrest Manor Living Center on Hayne Boulevard.
Some 1,183 students from the four schools registered to volunteer, according to coordinator Avery Brewton at Tulane. The other schools and registered volunteers were Xavier, 409, Tulane, 323; and Loyola, 152. The number of actual participants were unavailable.
Students assisted Greenlight, a non-profit environmental organization, distribute energy-efficient compact lights to low- and middle-income families switch in the area.
Jessica Forest, a mass communication major and project participant, said, the goal was to help reduce energy costs.
“I’m glad we were able to help out the communities that often get overlooked,” she said.
Other students gave their time at Ferncrest Manor Living Center, where participants shared activities and games with the senior residents.
Brandi Clay, a junior education major, said, “We played bingo, casino and many other board games while talking and getting to know them.”
Meanwhile, back on campus, Dillard hosted its second annual “I Am the Dream” College Day,” to provide local teens the opportunity to participate in seminars and gain more information about preparing for college.
(Sheena Sampson contributed to this report.)
