The fourth annual United Way Day of Service will be held this Saturday in Columbus.
The day is being held in conjunction with Dream 365, a weeklong commemoration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Volunteers can serve at various nonprofit organizations throughout Columbus, and offer a hand by painting at The Salvation Army or loading pallets for Operation Ukraine. The Boys and Girls’ Club, Palmer Home for Children and Loaves and Fishes need volunteers as well.
Leslie Peel, volunteer coordinator for The United Way, said volunteers would be doing various projects depending on the needs of the organization.
“It’s not beautification at every spot,” she said. “It varies depending on what their needs are.”
People interested in volunteering can sign up online at volunteercolumbus-ms.org or call The United Way at (662) 328-0943. Peel encouraged people to sign up by 5 p.m. Wednesday, when registration is scheduled to close.
“What I’m trying to do is evaluate and make sure we have an adequate number of volunteers for each project,” Peel said.
Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. If people cannot volunteer on Saturday, they can volunteer on Friday or the following Monday, Peel said.
Quoting King, Peel encouraged Columbus residents to volunteer.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is “What are you doing for others?” This particular day of service is in conjunction with the national day of service that encourages people to come and improve their community as part of his vision of a unified community working side by side, hand in hand.”
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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