This year, on Martin Luther King Day (January 15, 2018) Americorps’ Project MARS members hosted a service learning event for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina. Local Bigs and Littles came out to commemorate the civil right leader by participating in the event which commenced with a breakfast and discussion and then segued into a sign-making activity where Bigs and Littles were able to create signs with messages they would later display at a community-wide parade.
Uplifting messages of hope, focusing on an individual’s ability to change the world by starting with themselves seemed to be a theme:
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”, read one sign.
“We but mirror the world. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change:Be the Change!” read another, and:
“Don’t let people pull you into their storm. Pull them into your peace.”
“It was important to organize this event because I have never been in a city where they have such a well-attended march like Asheville does,” reflected Americorps member Claire Dobson, “I felt like I was a part of the community, which is integral as an AmeriCorps member, but doesn’t necessarily happen with all the communities we serve.”
After making the signs, the three matches in attendance and the 15 Americorps members and headed out into the brisk afternoon to join parade.
“I made a point to take advantage of the AmeriCorps invite to experience MLK day with Andre,” said Joey Popp, a Big Brother from Henderson County, who attended the event with his Little and his Little’s sister.
“He studied Dr King in school but to have him and his sister participate in the march and rally I felt would be everlasting and meaningful. On the way to making posters we discussed Dr. King’s dream and the struggle for civil rights. To see these young lives embrace all the events of the day fulfilled my dream,” said Popp.
Check out the photo blog below
