On Monday, January 20, Monsignor Donovan students will be volunteering at various sites in the greater Athens area. Athens MLK Day of Service is an annual celebration in support of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and commitment to service. In 1994, Congress made the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday an official day of service. Athens, Georgia is one of the thousands of cities across the United States that decided to make this “A Day On and Not a Day Off.”
January 20 is considered a regular school day for students despite the off-campus activities. Therefore, attendance will be taken. Students will receive service hours from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm (6 hours) for participating on this day.
We strive to form students who will use their talents to compassionately serve their community, working to build a more just and equitable society. Apostolic stewardship of our local community allows students to encounter Christ, to imitate Christ, and to grow closer to Christ through service. We hope to see our students “Radiate the Lord” through this experience. Thank you in advance for being a part of this day and representing your family, Christ, and our school in an honorable way.
MLK Day of Service Details
- All students will receive a permission slip that must be signed and returned to the front office by Thursday, January 16.
- School vans and buses will be used for transportation to and from the volunteer sites. At least one Donovan staff member will be with every group.
- All students and staff will receive a t-shirt to wear to their respective volunteer site on January 20.
- The t-shirt with long pants will be considered your “uniform” for the day. Dress down guidelines must be followed otherwise (no rips or tears in jeans, no shorts, etc). Close-toed shoes are mandatory. No flip-flops, slides, or other similar style shoes because most volunteer sites require your feet to be covered and protected.
- Be mindful that you will ride school vehicles and will volunteer at off-campus locations. Do not bring any technology or personal belongings that have the risk of getting lost or damaged!
MLK Day of Service – Schedule
7:30-8:00 am – Arrive at Donovan
8:00 am – Kick off Prayer Service led by Father Tipton
9:30 am – Arrive at volunteer sites
1:00 pm – Leave volunteer sites
1:30 pm – Closing prayer and lesson for the day
2:00 pm – Dismissal
Parents and Guardians: Dismissal is at 2:00 pm. Please make arrangements for pick up and transportation as the school will be closed following the activities of the day. No student may stay at Donovan for any reason. If athletics practices are scheduled for that evening, students will need to leave campus and return when practice begins.
Volunteer Sites and Sign-ups
Please review the following volunteer site descriptions and sign up here for a volunteer site on a first come, first served basis. The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, January 14, by 5:00 pm. We look forward to being positive ambassadors of Monsignor Donovan in our community!
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store (St. Catherine Laboure’ Affiliated)
The students will be working with electronics, clothes, shoes, linens, toys, Christmas, and household items. They will get to restock items, clean items, straighten shelves, pack incoming Christmas items in bins for storage, and possibly bag supplies for homeless and mission trips.
Volunteers Needed: 14 students
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary Trail Workday
Volunteers will continue work on the school’s trails and outdoor classroom space. This project includes trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, and outdoor program area improvements. This continues an ongoing MLK Day project of more than ten years.
Volunteers Needed: 14 students
Historic Brooklyn Cemetery Clean-up and Beautification
Volunteers will clear grave sites of invasive plants and debris, plant bulbs, and bring fallen tree limbs and branches to the roadside for pick-up or mulching.
Volunteers Needed: 59 students
Mae Willie Community Garden Workday
Volunteers will assist with a Community Garden work day by building a wheelchair accessible planting bed, weeding path and planting beds, and adding poles and monofilament to fence to create a deer proof fence.
Volunteers Needed: 9 students
Trail Creek Park Litter Pick-up and Trail Maintenance
Volunteers will beautify Trail Creek park by picking up litter and performing trail maintenance to keep the trails in good shape for the future.
Volunteers Needed: 9 students
Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School
Volunteers will:
Clean up the grounds of all debris and trash
Spread mulch around the remaining areas to be mulched
Wash all of the windows of the school
Mop the floors and vacuum the carpets
Clean the gym floor
Pick up any trash or unclaimed books / property from inside the common areas
Clear the running path of debris and fallen limbs
Straighten out furniture in all of the classrooms
Complete bulletin boards as needed
Volunteers Needed: 15 students