Published January 8, 2025
MONROE, LA – The University of Louisiana Monroe will participate in the annual MLK Day of Service
on Monday, January 20. ULM invites faculty, staff, students, and community partners
to Bayou Pointe Event Center, 1 Warhawk Way, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. After a
short program, participants will help sort and package donations made to The Wellspring
for the “World’s Largest Baby Shower.” The donations will be used for the Wellspring’s
women’s domestic violence shelter.
A list of needed items can be found below. Attendees can bring items on January 20,
but items will also be accepted in Sandel Hall Suite 200 on the ULM campus Monday
- Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. through Friday,
January 17.
“MLK Day of Service has been a day for years that the ULM family and community come
together and invest in our community,” said Gina White, Director of Global and Multicultural
Affairs. “It is always our hope that our efforts on this day create an awareness of
the resources available in our community. It is through service that we increase the
value of our community,” added White.
This initiative for the Wellspring’s women’s domestic violence shelter is a community-driven
event designed to collect essential items for mothers and babies living in the shelter.
The event not only supports women who have fled abusive situations but also raises
awareness about domestic violence and its impact on families. The event promotes community
engagement, public awareness, and celebration of resilience.
ULM’s MLK Day of Service event aligns with the 2025 theme chosen by The King Center,
which is “Mission Possible: Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence
365.”
ULM would like to thank Oschner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center for their collaboration
on this year’s MLK Day of Service and invites any local business, organization, or
individual to join in the effort on Monday, January 20.
In addition to baby items for The Wellspring, attendees may also bring canned and
dry goods for the ULM Food Pantry to support the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative.
Volunteers are encouraged to register at: https://bit.ly/ulm-mlk-2025
According to Americorps, The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage
all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. During the last quarter-century,
the MLK Day of Service has grown, and its impact increased as more Americans embraced
the idea that citizenship involves taking an active role in improving communities.
About The Wellspring
The Wellspring is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1931. With more than 90 years of
experience serving Northeast Louisiana, they are one of the state’s oldest, most effective,
and most trusted nonprofits.
As a multifaceted organization, The Wellspring serves the people of Northeast Louisiana
by providing the resources they need to address and solve the problems they’re facing
today – whether that be homelessness, sexual assault, domestic violence, relational
struggles, or life transitions. Learn more at www.wellspringofnela.org.
Items needed for the “World’s Largest Baby Shower”
- Bottles, pacifiers, and bibs
The ULM community is encouraged to donate specific items based on their department
as follows:
- The Office of the President:Diapers
- Dr. Mark Arant:Formula and Baby Food
- Dr. Bill Graves:Baby Wipes, Bottles
- Dr. John Hartwell:Baby Food, Infant snacks
- Ms. Lisa Miller: Baby Wipes, Clothing
- Dr. Valerie Fields:Bottles, pacifiers, and bibs
- RSOs:Diapers, bottles, pacifiers, bibs, or diapers
