“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of justice, equality, and the transformative power of education at CSUSB’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) is hosting a series of impactful events for the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. Organized by the Office of Community Engagement (OCE), these events provide students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to make a difference in the local community while celebrating King’s commitment to justice, equality, and service.
The Day of Service, observed nationwide on the third Monday of January, encourages communities to honor King’s memory through volunteerism and civic action. At CSUSB, the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses will both play active roles in giving back, with the main campus closed on Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of the state holiday.
The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus will kick off the celebrations with a service project at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers will assist the mission in serving individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, embodying King’s message of compassion and community upliftment.
The San Bernardino campus will host its own service event on Friday, Jan. 24, at the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC). From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will gather at the CAPSBC warehouse to pack food boxes for underserved families in the region. This large-scale food packing project aims to provide critical resources to those in need while fostering a spirit of unity and collective action. CSUSB is making it easy for the campus community to participate. Volunteers will be provided with free transportation to and from the service sites, along with a commemorative Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service T-shirt and a complimentary lunch to thank them for their efforts.
The Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service is more than a day off; it is a call to action. Across the country, individuals and organizations dedicate time and resources to address pressing community needs. This year, CSUSB’s efforts are part of this nationwide movement to create positive change and honor King’s vision of a just and equitable society. The Office of Community Engagement at CSUSB secured a $3,000 grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps) and LEAD California to fund these initiatives. This support has allowed the university to organize impactful events and provide meaningful resources to the community.
The OCE encourages students, faculty, and staff to participate in the events and reflect on King’s legacy through action. “Dr. King once said, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ This is our chance to answer that question by giving back to those who need it most,” said an OCE representative.
