HIGH POINT, N.C., Jan. 11, 2023 – Every year, High Point University students lead community service projects for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service “A Day On, Not a Day Off.”

Once again, community members are invited to join HPU students and faculty as they participate in nearly 20 service projects around the city. You can sign up to participate here.

Students will serve the community through projects to revitalize local organizations, clean areas in the city of High Point, pack thousands of seeds for the community, pack care kits for veterans and more. HPU students in the departments of nursing, pharmacy and physical therapy will also be providing a free public health screening for the community at the Pro Bono Physical Therapy Clinic.

"Dr. King’s presence is felt throughout the HPU campus, from his quotes displayed on signs to his bronze statue," says Rev. Joe Blosser, executive director of the Center for Community Engagement. "It’s fitting that High Point University honor his federal holiday with a day of service. It’s an opportunity to honor his legacy by serving others, building empathy and strengthening our community."

Community members are invited to join in service projects like:

Pack a Smile: Help pack care kits for veterans at HPU’s Center for Community Engagement
Ferndale Family Workday at Ferndale Middle School: Help clean out and organize the food pantry
Macedonia Garden Revitalization: Help clean and prepare the gardens at the Macedonia Family Resource Center for the spring crops

In addition to the service projects, HPU will host multiple educational workshops, speakers and films highlighting Dr. King’s life and legacy.

In 1994, Congress designated a federal holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service – “A Day On, Not a Day Off.”

HPU has taken that charge to heart by leading hundreds of volunteers in service to the city of High Point and surrounding areas each year. In 2022, students, faculty, staff and community members volunteered in many ways across the city. Students and faculty helped pack seeds during the “Packaging Seeds to Share” event, which provided seeds to more than 100 community gardens across Guilford County. It’s all part of the 500,000 annual service hours the HPU family contributes.

HPU’s Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Service

Community members are invited to attend High Point University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Service at 11 a.m. in Hayworth Chapel. This event is free and open to the public. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Elwood Robinson, chancellor of Winston-Salem State University.

“What a gift to have Chancellor Robinson lead us to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy,” says Rev. Dr. Preston Davis, minister to the university. “Dr. Robinson is an admired leader in higher education and our Piedmont Triad community. We are honored that he will be joining us.”

Robinson has written more than 400 scientific publications and presentations, including his short story, titled “Wednesdays and Sundays,” featured in the book “Keeping the Faith: Stories of Love, Courage, Healing and Hope from Black America.” This book won the 2003 NAACP Image Award for Most Outstanding Literary Work, Nonfiction. Robinson has presented his work globally at seminars and workshops in China, Egypt, South Africa and the United States.

Music at the service will be led by Genesis Gospel Choir and guest musicians. Each year, this worship service serves to awaken the faithful witness of Dr. King for our lives here and now.