University Calendar

All students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to join the Center for Student Involvement Volunteer Resource Center and Office for Service Learning and Community Engagement as we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King through a day of service.

What to Expect

The day begins with breakfast and registration at 8:00 a.m., at the Student Center Ballrooms. (You'll want to get there on time to make sure you get your choice service activity.) After registration period, there will be talks from the event organizers, followed by guest speaker Mayor Lester Taylor III, an Montclair State University alumnus and mayor of East Orange.

Following the morning activities, all volunteers for the day will depart for various service activities, both on and off campus. Please dress for the weather! Some activities will take place outdoors, so be prepared.

This year, there will be also a box for food donations for a local church pantry. Volunteers are encouraged to bring food items to give away as they arrive.



Volunteer Opportunities

Here are some of the volunteer opportunities you can participate in both on and off-campus:

On Campus Service Projects:

• Sandwich Making
  Volunteers will work together to make and sort a goal of 300 sandwiches to be donated to St. Lucy’s Emergency Shelter.
  Some sandwiches will be made with peanut butter- those with strong allergies that may be affected are suggested to consider other opportunities.
• Quilt Making for Seniors
  Volunteers will be taught how to crochet to create warm and comfortable blankets for senior citizens staying in local assisted living centers. No experience is necessary- everything you need to know will be taught to you in order to make a superb blanket!
• Cards for Veterans
  Say thank you to past and present members of our armed forces by making a card expressing your gratitude and appreciation! Cards will be personalized for individuals and supplies will be provided, though, extra craft supplies are encouraged from those who would like to attend this project to allow ample resources for as many cards to be created as possible.

Off Campus Service Sites:

• East Orange Community Projects
  Volunteers will join Mayor Taylor and city representatives in several projects benefiting the community. Dress warmly as some project will be outdoors to help the city thrive in reaching its goals for urban excellence!
• Canterbury Village, West Orange
  Volunteers will enjoy various recreational activities with senior residents such a playing board games, bingo, painting nails, reading books, and sharing any talents you may have! Residents have a special interest in hearing musical talents- if you can sing, play an instrument, or perform a skit we encourage you to sign up for this site and bring any corresponding instruments/materials with you to perform for the residents!
• St. Lucy’s Emergency Shelter, Jersey City
  Volunteers will contribute a valuable resource to those who stay within the shelter by assisting with cleaning of the living areas and providing a comforting living space for those who stay.
• Valley Arts District of Orange
  One group of volunteers will benefit the Arts District by helping to preserve its beauty from trash, fallen branches, and other visual pollutions. Dress warm for this, you will be outdoors for part of your service! Another group will benefit the historic Orange Public Library by helping to paint part of the building, which will be used for a future exhibit showing the history of the area and the impact that Interstate 280 has had on the area.
• Neighbor to Neighbor Network, Bloomfield
  Neighbor to Neighbor Network is a Bloomfield non-profit that connects volunteers with residents in need of support not available through traditional programs. Special emphasis is placed on assisting older adults, some of whom are homebound or live alone, low-income individuals and families, and people with disabilities. Volunteers will spend time with the seniors at Felicity Towers.
• Eva’s Village, Paterson
  Eva's Village provides a wide range of services for the poor in NJ, including food, shelter, substance abuse treatment, primary medical and dental care and a variety of transitional and permanent housing options. Volunteers will set up, serve, and clean up a meal for the hungry.
• MedShare, Secaucus
  MedShare collects surplus medical supplies and equipment and delivers them directly to underserved populations worldwide while lessening the impact of medical waste in the U.S. Volunteers will sort and package medical supplies to be shipped
• Kinard Family Helping Hands, Newark
  Join the Kinard Family in their 3rd year of helping those in need in Newark by feeding the homeless and providing new and used clothing (especially hats, gloves and scarfs). You will also help to serve a hot meal for those in need. Dress warmly because you will be outdoors distributing all these materials for the less fortunate--your dedication to being outdoors for this day will allow for many others to stay warm as well. Additional donations of winter clothing and food are always welcome! Please bring any extra gear that you may have to distribute directly to someone in need this day.
• Montclair Fire Department
  Volunteers will help the Fire Department canvass neighborhoods and provide valuable resources for safety as needed, such as smoke detectors. Dress warmly as you will be walking throughout the community distributing these crucial resources. Your commitment to the outdoors today could help save an entire family and home.

Please RSVP via HawkSync, Today!

Got Questions?

For more information or questions contact:

Volunteer Resource Center Coordinator
Adam Janacek
973-655-5318
volunteer@mail.montclair.edu