Building an exercise and play area for dogs at the Charleston Animal Society. Completing a garden for the Charleston Area Children’s Garden Project. Cooking, serving lunch and creating a menu for Crisis Ministries. C of C students, Citadel students and local high school students tackled these projects and more as part of the MLK Challenge Jan. 18.

To honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Center for Civic Engagement at the College gave student groups $75 and a van to complete projects for local nonprofit agencies. 

“Instead of a normal day of service, we created specific projects with nonprofits that they maybe don’t have enough staff or time to do,” said Mary Pat Twomey, Assistant Director of the Center for Civic Engagement. “It is different than any other day of the year.”

Students were randomly assigned to one of 14 groups (of possible strangers) to team-build, brainstorm and complete the project in less than six hours.

“Each [project] has a problem-solving aspect to get everything done,” Twomey said. “If the team runs out of money, they must go to local stores and ask for donations.”

The ability to transport students to help out different areas is what makes the challenge unique and special, said Interim Director of the Center for Civic Engagement Stephanie Visser.

“Because we have transportation, we can do anything and go anywhere; that is the special part,” Visser said. “We can go anywhere in the community, not downtown-specific, and see more areas in need.”

This is the sixth time that the College has hosted the MLK challenge, and recent historical events pushed the Center for Civic Engagement to host it again for the first time in two years.

“With Obama’s election and inauguration, we decided to do the service,” Twomey said. “A lot of people missed the program.”

This event allows students to meet new people and work together, Visser said.

“The great part is that so many different things are going on, and everyone will be working together,” Visser said. “A lot of freshmen are here, so hopefully they will get to know other people.”

Giving back to the community is an important part of King’s past, Visser said. 

“We are honoring MLK’s legacy by giving and making a difference in the community,” Visser said. 

Twomey said the challenge is the perfect way to commemorate King’s life and service.

“It is an active way to remember what MLK did in the U.S.,” Twomey said. “While learning about him is important, emulating him by helping out the community is more important.”

West Ashley High School junior Juwan Williams participated in the challenge as a part of his school’s Beaux Fair Program.

“It is a right of passage for juniors and seniors,” Williams said. “We go out in the community and try to help out.”

Ralph Smith, one of the team advisors, said that he volunteered to help out the students with difficult challenges, and remember the life of King. 

“I do a lot of volunteer work, and MLK is a great individual. I was there, I remember it well,” Smith said. “I will look at the challenges, and if a group can’t do it on their own, like things that involve construction knowledge.”

Senior Lynette Wright participated in the MLK challenge previously and wanted to help out again.

“It’s always nice to help out the community in any way I can,” Wright said. “I came the year before last and I really enjoyed it.”

The teams each had to design a poster representing their service.

“The posters are to let everyone else know what they did by being creative,” Visser said. “They represent why it’s important and how it honors MLK in a meaningful way.”

Theater professor Joy Vandervort-Cobb spoke to the students before they left to inspire them for their challenges.

“I look around this room and I think perhaps I was sent here to be inspired by ya’ll,” Cobb said. “We all come out to serve, all of us.”

Cobb stressed the importance of helping the community and the results of the students’ efforts.

“I assure you it does make a difference,” Cobb said. “You may not see the end of the project, but a tear or smile is eternalized. Somehow it will change someone’s life because you care enough to do it.”

Cobb wished everyone good luck as they embarked on their challenges to help community members in need.

“I wish you the sense of community to continue to inspire you,” Cobb said. “Thank you for honoring Dr. King, yourself and the College in this way.”