On Monday, January 16th, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Robert Russa Moton Museum hosted Longwood University’s “MLK Challenge,” a day of community service.
“The 2012 MLK Challenge was a huge success!” stated Jen Rentschler, Assistant Director of Volunteer and Service-Learning at Longwood University. “Over 80 students, faculty, and staff participated and assisted with projects with six different agencies. I think it says a lot about our University as a whole that so many would give up a “day off” to give back to their community.”
That morning, the students gathered at the museum in small groups to discuss what motivated them to participate in the MLK Challenge and to learn more about their community service projects. They then left to work with the community.
The students worked with six agencies in the Prince Edward community – Pregnancy Support Center, Clean Virginia Waterways, FACES Food Pantry, New Creations Childcare, Stepping Stones Preschool, and High Bridge Trail.
Upon the conclusion of their day, each of the students returned to Moton to reflect on the day, discussing what they did, why it was important, and what their experiences were.
Patrice Carter, Programs Coordinator for the museum, echoed Ms. Rentscher’s sentiments. “It was great to see college students be so heavily involved in taking on projects in the community and coming together to discuss the importance of community service.”
The Robert Russa Moton Museum is a Civil Rights Museum housed in the former R. R. Moton High School. Moton is committed to the preservation and positive interpretation of the history of civil rights in education, specifically as it relates to Prince Edward County and the role its citizens played in America’s struggle to move from a segregated to an integrated society.