MLK Week of Service Recap

Any Campbell staff member or professor can tell you instances in which they were especially proud of their students. This year's MLK Week of Service was one of those times for Campus Ministry and the Multicultural Council.


Nearly 300 volunteers recorded acts of service during MLK Week, and the final number may actually be higher if not all volunteers reported their projects. We can't forget to mention Rev. Brenda Girton - Mitchell of the U.S. Department of Education. Her visit brought encouragement and praise from the Department's Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the home base of the President's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. Her charm and inspiring words in Divinity School Chapel and CUW made our week-long celebration of Dr. King's life extra special.

Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell speaks with the card making crew.

Sometimes understanding the impact of service isn't easy. Does it matter if I pick up this trash in the river? Is a soldier going to really appreciate my homemade card? The answer is yes. 


What may be a small and insignificant act to you may mean the world to someone else because they need to experience that kindness. Environmental stewardship, soldier appreciation, voter registration, and all the other MLK Week of Service projects are examples of ways you can take a little bit of time to make a big difference.

Blood Drive

60 volunteers

38 units of blood

Donations will go to 114 different people

Cards for Soldiers

53 Lillington Senior Center volunteers made 255+ cards

9 students/faculty made 25 cards

Park/Stream Clean Up

165 faculty/staff/student volunteers cleaned 355 pounds of trash from local environments

Voter Registration

32 volunteers registered 95 students

Interfaith Food Drive

17 students collected or donated 50 lbs. of food for Harnett Food Pantry

We owe a special thanks to our project leaders: Dr. Jenn Latino, Dr. Rene Ibarra, and Dr. Michael Larsen. 

A student registers to vote during the MLK Week of Service.

Click here to see the entire photo album on Facebook.

Kicking4Hunger

The varsity soccer field doesn't often see tiny shin guards and cartoon themed water bottles, but plenty of both came to campus November 18 - 19 when the local, student-run nonprofit Kicking4Hunger held a free soccer clinic to fight hunger.


Current UNC Chapel Hill senior Gabe Whaley started Kicking4Hunger to accomplish two goals: give kids an inexpensive and fun place to learn soccer, and benefit the community at the same time. Kicking4Hunger was born and quickly made its way to the editors of People Magazine, which recently awarded Gabe its annual People's Choice Hero Award.


Campbell fourth year 3/2 trust major Rebekah Barker is a close friend of Gabe's and helped to organize and manage the K4H event in Buies Creek. Check out what Rebekah has to say about service as a college student and how you can also change your community.

Rebekah Barker

How did you get involved with K4H?

I met Gabe Whaley my junior year of high school at the NC School of Science and Math. When [classmate] Caleb approached me about a soccer-related service learning project I participated in over the summer, I suggested we get up with Gabe to partner with K4H. 

Do you feel that the event in Buies Creek was a success? 

I definitely feel the event was a success! We were able to reach out to over 30 kids in the local community and collect over 500 lbs. of food. The first afternoon, we needed multiple people to help unload cars; it was amazing! The kids really enjoyed themselves, and it was apparent they took something away from the camp.

What do you like most about K4H?

My favorite aspect about K4H is the message they are teaching kids. To help a kid learn how to play soccer is a great thing, but to also incorporate learning to serving others and help those who are less fortunate is an amazing thing.

Is serving others important to you? 

Personally, serving others is really important to me. I believe that by helping and empowering people around you, you encourage others to do the same. Showing God's love to others is not only an act of service, but an act of compassion.

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you?

Galations 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

What can college students do to fight hunger in their communities?

Get involved with organizations geared to stop hunger! It's also really easy to organize food drives or similar small events on campus. 

• You can also read Rebekah's own post on the Kicking4Hunger website.
• Click here to view the Facebook photo album of the K4H event in Buies Creek.

Fall Service Highlights

If you've seen the Christmas decorations at Target already, you know that with the changing of the leaves in October comes preparation for the holidays. 

The same goes for community service-- promotions for myriad donation drives bombard us during the season when we're already trying to give to those immediately around us. 

Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. 

You don't have to have a college degree to serve. 

You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. 

You only need a heart full of grace. 

A soul generated by love. -- MLK Jr.

Service agencies begin their drives early to make sure they have enough time to meet their goals and then sort, package, and distribute the donations to their clients. So while you may not even have a Halloween costume yet, agencies that serve the community are already thinking of how to meet the especially stressful holiday and cold weather needs of our neighbors.

Campbell is no exception. Check out this guide to what we've got going on between now and Christmas break. If you would like your event to be featured on the blog, e-mail Sara Acosta.

Kiss the Camel

October 11 - 22

Campus Activities Board's Community Outreach Committee and Special Events Committee are sponsoring a fundraiser for Heifer International, which provides sustainable support to rural third-world families by donating livestock to that family. 

To participate in the fundraiser, look for designated jars in Marshbanks, the Oasis, Quiznos, and after CUW. Drop money in the jar representing the faculty/staff member you'd like to see kiss a camel. The options are: Dr. Kesling, Dr. Bazemore, Dr. Martin, April Paszkiewicz, Dr. Lopez, and Dr. Broadhurst.

Fore more information e-mail selangston1005 or z_uriostebautista0421, or visit the Kiss the Camel Facebook event.

Campus Food Drive

October 15 - November 15

When the Harnett Food Pantry closed recently, more than 275 families, or 1,000 people, had to look elsewhere for emergency food supplies. 

To help restock the Pantry and to help feed our neighbors, Campus Ministry is sponsoring a University-wide food drive. Any non-perishable food items can go in the designated bins located in the Oasis, at Marshbanks, and in the lobby of Turner Auditorium. 

For more information e-mail Sara Acosta or check out the Campus Food Drive Facebook event. Click here to learn more about food insecurity and poverty in Harnett County. 

The Community Christmas Store

November 16, 17, 18

Carter Gym

The Community Christmas Store will serve Harnett County families unable to afford Christmas gifts for their children, aiming to relieve holiday stress for low-income families in our area. In its inaugural year, the Community Christmas Store will serve 131 children in 53 area families. 

That means we need your help! Donated toys must be new, between $10 and $15, and for any age range between infant and teenager. Campus Ministry will gladly pick up any off-campus donations. On-campus donation locations are: Marshbanks, the Student Center, Taylor Hall, Wiggins Library, Lundy Fetterman Lounge, the Anniversary Gala, and the Homecoming Football Game.

Click here to volunteer for the Christmas Store. We need child caretakers, gift wrappers, Spanish interpreters, and more! For more information contact Terry Tucker.

Operation Christmas Child Collection Week

November 14 - 21

Rumley Center

Campbell University is proud to serve again as a Harnett County collection site for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse. Student, faculty, and staff volunteers have stepped up to collect and process shoe boxes full of Christmas toys that a child in a third-world country will receive. 

Visit the Samaritan's Purse website to learn more about how to pack a shoe box or to follow your box on its journey around the world. For more information contact Terry Tucker.

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A CELEBRATION OF FAITH, LEARNING, AND SERVICE

Make service part of Campbell's 125th Anniversary Celebration! 

The Campbell community will dedicate 125,000 of service this  year. To report your hours to Campus Ministry use this form.