Broward College Gives Back to the Community with MLK Day of Service Awards, Providing $96,000 to Local Organizations

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (Jan. 8, 2015) –With funding from the Florida Legislature, Broward College – in partnership with the MLK Day of Service Advisory Board, comprised of Broward County citizens – has organized several special volunteer opportunities to transform Monday, Jan. 19 into a day of volunteerism in the local community and to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

The Broward College MLK Day of Service Awards were offered to community groups to develop service projects that positively impact the local area. Awards were intended to encourage service projects that address education, health, clean energy and environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, basic needs, disaster preparedness, veterans and military families’ issues, public safety or neighborhood projects. A total of 24 awards were issued to 20 organizations, totaling $96,406.

Broward College campuses are hosting several public events honoring Dr. King, including:

MLK Day of Service: Peace Garden Planting

Monday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m. to noon, Oriole Elementary School 3081 NW 39th St., Lauderdale Lakes

In partnership with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, North Campus students, faculty and staff will help plant a peace garden at Oriole Elementary School in Lauderdale Lakes. Attendees are required to register at ‪http://tinyurl.com/BCNorthMLKOriole. For more information, contact BCNorthMLKDay@gmail.com.

The MLK  Health and Safety Fair

Monday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., HOPE Outreach Center, Inc., 4700 S.W. 64th Ave. (Davie Road), Suite A, Davie

Faculty from the Bachelors of Science in Nursing program and representatives of the  communication department, ESL department and behavioral sciences department will unite with local agencies to deliver the Health and Safety Fair at Hope Outreach Center. For more information, contact Claudia Sahagún at 954-201-6404 or csahagun@broward.edu.

MLK Memorial Garden

Monday, Jan. 12 to Monday Jan. 19, 9 a.m. till 1 p.m., Broward College North Campus, 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, Bldg. 46

The North Campus will beautify the building 46 entrance by creating an “MLK Memorial Garden” using native flowers and plants, as well as installing a permanent sign that highlights Dr. King’s legacy. For more information, contact Joseph Pickering at 954-201-2009 or jpickeri@broward.edu.

Adopt-A-Meal Program

Monday, Jan. 19, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Ronald McDonald House, 15 SE 15th Street, Fort Lauderdale

The Adopt-A-Meal program provides much-needed support to families who are taking care of their sick children and often don’t have the time, funds or energy to prepare a healthy, home-cooked meal.  After a long day at the hospital or clinic, a hot meal is a welcome gift.  For more information, contact Sharon Leach, president of Phi Theta Kappa MuMu Chapter, at 954-770-4220 or sharonmleach@yahoo.com.

Marine Science Education Service Learning Project

Monday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Judson A. Samuels South Campus, 7200 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, Bldg. 65

Under the direction of staff from the Reef Ball Foundation, Broward College students will construct artificial reefs to be deployed in South Florida to help restore ailing coral reefs. Students will collaborate with Kids Ecology Corps, presenting an educational program to increase community awareness of coral reefs and the effects of humans on the environment. For more information, contact Assistant Professor Henri Liauw A Pau at 954-201-8923 or  hliauwap@broward.edu .

For more information about any of the MLK Day of Service projects, visit www.broward.edu/MLKservice. To select a service project and register to become a volunteer, visit www.broward.edu.