1,800 Hartland students participate in multiple MLK service projects

During the final hours of school, some Hartland High School students might keep one eye on the clock, waiting until the final bell rings.

But recently, Hartland freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors held an entirely different feeling at the end of the school day, as nearly 1,800 students participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service.

“It’s the best feeling to help someone else,” freshman Hannah Mourad said. “It’s amazing to know you are making others smile.”

Students engaged in several activities including cleaning the cars of local senior citizens, making hygiene kits for abused women and children, crafting blankets for sick children and more. Hartland students have participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service several times before and it’s something students look forward to every year, said Hartland teacher Cathleen Haglund.

“All week I have kids asking what project they are working on. They get excited,” Haglund said. “It feels great to walk around the school and see everyone engaged in service with smiles on their faces.”

In total, Hartland students contributed nearly 2,000 volunteer hours.

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) and the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) provided a $500 mini-grant to Hartland High School for the project. MCSC and MNA funded nearly 30 Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service projects for groups around the state. The grants are intended to encourage volunteer projects that address education, health, clean energy/environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, disaster preparedness, supporting veterans and military families, or public safety. Projects, scheduled from Jan. 12 until Jan. 23, will engage more than 4,000 volunteers.

In Jackson, students with special needs at Northwest Community Schools participated in project "Winter Warm Cheer" on Jan. 13. Students helped two local shelters, Jackson Interfaith and the AWARE shelter. Students with cognitive impairments at the elementary and middle school learned about homelessness, philanthropy, and how to solve real-life problems about wants and needs.

“Project Winter Warm Cheer gave students an opportunity to advocate for the homeless and have an active role in helping others,” said Northwest Elementary school teacher Mandy Kennedy. “The students had a wonderful day of helping others.”

Follow the Michigan Community Service Commission on Facebook to find Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service volunteer opportunities.