New Year, New Ways to Serve Others: Starting 2024 with a Week of Action Inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.  

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Last week, Heart of Florida United Way volunteers from across Central Florida came together for our fourth annual Week of Action: a series of group events commemorating the service legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. More than five decades after his untimely death, the impact of Dr. King’s actions continues to resonate throughout America and the world, and his words remain a source of inspiration for peace and fellowship across communities and generations. 

Reflecting on Dr. King’s efforts to lift others and help those in need, our HFUW volunteers gathered for several volunteer experiences during Week of Action to inspire positive change in our Central Florida community. 

Read on for a review of our Week of Action events from this year: 

New Year, New Gear School Supply Drive 

All week through January 19th, HFUW held a collection drive to help refill and refresh supply closets at public schools in the local community. Volunteers and donors collected school supplies on their own time and delivered them to HFUW — helping our community’s schoolchildren start the new year with all the right gear. The morning of January 19th, volunteers also gathered to help manage the collection drive-thru and sort donated items. 

No-Sew Blanket-Making Parties 

On January 15th, HFUW held two blanket-making parties to benefit our upcoming Community Baby Shower. In the morning and then again in the afternoon, volunteers joined together to make comfy fleece blankets using a sensory-friendly, no-sew technique. 

Women United Goal Mapping with PACE 

The morning of January 17th, mentors from HFUW’s Women United Impact Group arrived at the PACE Center for Girls and spent a few special hours with the students there. Mentors shared valuable insights into the meaning of career success and the power of networking, while helping students map their goals for the future. 

Emerging Leaders Week of Action Mentor Moment  

In the late afternoon on January 17th, students at the New Image Youth Center met with mentors from HFUW to map their goals, discuss their future careers, and gain an appreciation for the value of networking.  

HFUW Shed Cleanup 

Through lunchtime on January 18th, volunteers helped clean out and organize event sheds at the HFUW Volunteer Resource Center — helping to ensure even better volunteers experiences in the future. 

Student Test Kit Making 

In the evening on January 18th, HFUW volunteers worked in small groups to put together kits comprised of various essential items that can help students achieve greater success on their tests at school. 

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Thank you for reading! We hope you have been inspired by the dedication of our volunteers and by the enduring service legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although our 2024 Week of Action is now over, the action doesn’t have to end. 

: You can learn more about volunteer opportunities with HFUW throughout the year and sign up to join us for future events on our volunteering page.