On Monday Longwood University students participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Challenge, performing community service to honor King’s legacy throughout Farmville.

According to event coordinator Jordan Bynum-Howell, students volunteered at many places, such as FACES, The Woodland, Habitat for Humanity, Clean Virginia Waterways and Piedmont Geriatric Hospital.

According to the university’s website, student groups are assigned randomly to community service projects.

“Our day begins with

students coming together for breakfast and a brief presentation of the purpose of the day,” according to Longwood’s website. “Then, students will be put into groups and be given an opportunity to come up to the front and select an envelope containing details of one of the projects. Students will spend the day at their assigned agency trying to complete their service challenge.”

At Habitat for Humanity in Farmville, students painted the floors in the ReStore, according to Matt Ridout, the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore manager.

The group consisted of about eight students who signed up to be selected to complete one of the projects.

“Longwood University offers us a chance to do a challenge day for MLK,” said Longwood senior Christian Kearney. “They have it once a year.”

Kearney said this is her fourth year completing the challenge. “I like just coming out and helping out the community,” she said.

Kearney said that by assisting Habitat for Humanity making the place look better, it will help to raise money. “They do a lot for the community,” she said. “It’s very encouraging and empowering to work with people and see more about the community while giving a helping hand.”

At the conclusion of the day, volunteers met at Moton Museum to reflect on the events of the day and take home King’s message.

“At first, I signed up because our coach told us to, but then I read about it and I thought it was for a good cause. So me and my teammates came out,” said Longwood sophomore Mo Jalloh. “It’s been good so far. It’s good helping out the community.”