College Students Celebrate Dr. King and His Dream of Education

Portland, Oregon – On January 21, 2013, Oregon Campus Compact and nine colleges (Concordia University, George Fox University, Lewis & Clark College, Portland Community College, Portland State University, Reed College, University of Portland, Warner Pacific College, and Western Oregon University) will bring together 1,000 students to explore education as a civil right and to support the momentum and energy of those working to increase the high school graduation rate in Multnomah County. 

On MLK Day, college students will support education by helping to remove one of the barriers to literacy, access to books. The day’s main volunteer project, sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, will involve sorting, cleaning, and distributing gently used children’s books into the Portland-area. The service projects will prompt college student volunteers to reflect on the value of education and how poverty impacts learning.

In total, college students will donate 4,000 hours of volunteer time to the community and distribute 40,000 used children’s books into homes, schools, and libraries.

“It’s really exciting to bring together a large group of college students to respond to the community's needs," said Concordia University's Assistant Director of Service Leadership, Amy Dickerson. “MLK Day is impactful because it inspires students to serve not only one day but also to continue their service to the community throughout the year. By uniting colleges and universities to serve together, students become a part of something bigger than each of their individual campuses.”

College students in Oregon are experienced with serving their community. Oregon ranks eighth in the country for college student volunteerism according to the Corporation for National & Community Service report, Volunteering and Civic Life in America. Oregon’s students are challenging those who believe they are disengaged and apathetic by showing up (in record numbers) to serve and prove through action that they are making a difference in their community.

For further information, contact McKenzie Miller at (503) 406-3572. 

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