100-plus volunteers serve the homeless on MLK Day
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Martin Luther King Jr. Day is all about honoring Dr. King’s legacy and his dedication to public service.
On Monday, several local organizations did just that.
Volunteers from the mayor’s office, Project Refresh and more all ing together.
Dr. King’s life was built on providing service to those around him. Volunteers say their goal is to continue the radical hospitality Dr. King created decades ago through community service.
For many people, this MLK day is all about hope.
“Two years ago, I didn’t think there was going to be any hope,” says Tracy, formerly homeless.
And they have hope because so many people make this a day of service.
“It means a lot,” says Danielle, currently homeless. “They genuinely care enough to be out here with us. Cause you don’t find genuine people very much.”
Volunteers rolling their sleeves up, on their day off, continuing Dr. King’s legacy.
“Even through the simple act of giving someone a shower and clean clothes, you know, we get to come alongside our community and just work together, which is an arm-in-arm mission, which I think was his goal,” says Brittany Hutto, Executive Director of Project Refresh.
Gap Ministries holds annual MLK canned food drive
Gap Ministries holds annual MLK canned food drive
On Monday, Gap Ministries spent the day doing their annual Martin Luther King Jr. canned food drive.
A hot shower, warm meal, clean clothes and a fresh cut, are something you may find in your home, but is a luxury for others.
“Not everyone has the ability of going to a warm house, a warm bed, having a hot meal,” says Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson. “And for us to be able to do that on today, it’s really special.”
“Imagine that being your every single-day story,” says Hutto. “You wake up in the morning, you don’t have access to hot food, you don’t have a refrigerator, you don’t have heat. So, you’re dealing with the elements, you’re dealing with hunger, you’re dealing with poor hygiene, and poor hygiene exacerbates medical issues as well.”
A gift Tracy says she will never take for granted.
“I’m going to cry because these people, when I came here, they just took me and they loved me,” says Tracy. “They provided for my needs while I was able to build hope up again through using their strength.”
More than 100 volunteers spent all morning coming together to serve alongside each other making sure those who often go unseen or overlooked have what they need to succeed, restoring hope that the American dream is still achievable no matter where you are in life.
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