Seventy-six UC Riverside students and staff gathered virtually to commemorate the 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service on Monday, January 18. 

The event was organized by University Eastside Community Collaborative, known as UECC AmeriCorps, African Student Programs, and Student Affairs. The three offices have collaborated in past years to support campus and community service efforts on MLK Day of Service, said Gerardo Medina, leadership and service programs coordinator with Student Life. 

Last year’s community service event gathered 240 people to help with projects on and off campus. This year, participants learned about the legacy and impact Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. had on all levels of society.

Jamal J. Myrick, African Student Programs director, spoke during the Zoom celebration, highlighting King’s fight for justice and the impact his legacy still has today. The same day, Myrick also joined the virtual tribute, “We Are One” as a guest speaker with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Riverside chapter.

“This year’s day of service focused on acknowledging those who serve and those who may feel isolated during the current COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cesar Oyervides-Cisneros, program manager with UECC. “Volunteers created virtual cards, home-made cards, and wrote messages of encouragement and gratitude to senior citizens, first responders, teachers, and students.” 

Cards will be distributed by participants in their respective communities; locally these written messages will be delivered to local schools and firehouses. Cards written for senior citizens are for the nonprofit Family Service Association in Moreno Valley, Oyervides-Cisneros said.