The Center for Student Leadership Ethics and Public Service will host its ninth annual Martin Luther King service challenge this weekend.

The event allows students to learn about Martin Luther King Jr.’s message on service and social issues.

“We put on the event to honor Dr. King with a day of service learning,” Hillary Simpson, a enior in biochemistry and CSLEPS director of youth programs, said.

According to Simpson, the MLK service day’s purpose is to bring people together, honor King, provide an opportunity for N.C. State students to interact with the younger generation and get experience providing service. 

Organizers anticipate 50 students from Ligon Middle School and 50 students from N.C. State will participate.

Students were glad to see the University has this service outreach program.

“It’s a great idea, because it gives the younger generation a chance to learn why Martin Luther King Day is important and it will give them the chance to appreciate it,” Martha Kome, a sophomore in biological sciences, said.

The event also provides a venue for State students to remember and reflect on King’s work.

“It’s good to know that they are still educating kids about everything MLK did, especially so we won’t forget about his message and the importance of everything he did,” Allison Lee, a sophomore in political science, said.

The service challenge will be held in the Talley Student Center Ballroom and will kick off with a speech from Ebony Ebron, assistant director of University Housing-Central Campus.

According to Simpson, students will have the opportunity to make posters and raise awareness. The students will learn about activism and, possibly, march through campus.

The day will include two different service projects.  Participants will make 400 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to donate to the Healing Place of Wake County and 50 fleece blankets to donate to InterAct. InterAct is a private, non-profit, United Way agency that provides safety, support and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape or sexual assault. 

According to Simpson, this is the second year the event has followed this format, but it always involves a form of service.

CSLEPS is partnering with the Pre-Health Club Minority Interest Group to put on this event.

 ”It sounds like a really great service opportunity and it’s for a good cause,” Casey Clayton, a senior in biological engineering, said.