Rorie Christenson serves at Riley’s Treasures by organizing items to be given to those in need. School of the Ozarks students celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by participating in community service projects at local organizations.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — School of the Ozarks students celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by participating in community service projects at local organizations. All S of O students took part in this day, which started with Dr. Brad Dolloff, dean of School of the Ozarks, presenting about MLK and the importance of his service to the country. Then, each student took part in serving those around them.

Kindergarten through third grade students decorated encouraging meal bags for Elevate Branson. Fourth-graders prepared and cleaned up after serving lunch to the other students. The fifth and sixth grade students assisted Christian Action Ministries. Seventh and eleventh-graders served at Barnabas Prep. The eighth, ninth, and tenth grade students completed tasks for Riley’s Treasures. The twelfth graders served with Bridge of Faith by passing out fire wood to those in need.

This service day was inspired by research that Dr. Scott McElvain, assistant dean of School of the Ozarks, and his wife did while pondering the purpose of MLK Day. They wanted S of O students to commemorate Dr. King by serving in the local community through this National Day of Service. Students took an active role in serving the community and learning the value of King’s legacy. Additionally, it served as a way for the School to engage in its citizenship goal.

“We were excited for students to learn more about the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” McElvain said. “Excitement filled the students when they took action on this National Day of Service by serving those in the community around them. This fulfilled the motto for MLK day, which is ‘day on, not a day off.’”