MLK Day of Service 2013

Last week, I decided to spend MLK Day participating in the community service events being hosted by the university. I got up bright and early to go eat at the Volunteer Breakfast in the Michigan Rooms, where I also received a certificate for free lunch and my free volunteer tshirt. After eating I went to the service site I had previously picked out: Adopt a Pet in Fenton. It’s an animal shelter, and I had been wanting to go visit anyways so this gave me the perfect opportunity to do so.

There were lots of volunteers, which is always a great thing to see! At Adopt a Pet, we helped clean up some areas of the building and were able to walk the dogs and play with the cats. I spent most of my time in a room with two cats who had been separated from the rest for “bad behavior.” They had been either in some way aggressive or bullied the other cats, so I spent time working with them to promote better behavior so that they could hopefully be moved back in with the rest!

Once I had my “cat fix,” I returned to the university to give blood. I love giving blood whenever I can, so I jumped at the opportunity to check that off my list on MLK Day. After donating, I drove over to the Humane Society of Genesee County (because I just love animal shelters!). They had some UM-Flint students there as well who were helping to make decorations for Valentine’s Day and were able to see some of the critters available for adoption. I work at the Humane Society, so it was nice to be there not as an employee but instead as a volunteer to help out. I spent some quality time with some of our animals, which I don’t get to do that often while working.

Overall, the day was a great success! I’m glad our school provides us opportunities to give back to the community. It always feels amazing to be able to give back. How did you spend your MLK Day?