The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered every year for his leadership of the civil rights movement, his moving speeches and his powerful questions that challenged the thinking of the 20th century.
"Life's persistent and most urgent question is 'What are you doing for others?'" King said.
His legacy will be remembered this Monday as Project Community and the Ohio Union host a service day in his honor at Ohio State. OSU will also observe the holiday by closing Monday.
"The idea of serving the community to honor Dr. King just makes sense," said Jen Bossard, coordinator of community service and leadership for OSU.
The annual event will begin Monday at 8 a.m. Students will register at the Ohio Union and receive breakfast and a free T-shirt, Bossard said.
Volunteers can choose from 22 different community agencies to serve with for the morning, she said.
"It's very easy to volunteer," Bossard said. "Just show up."
A kick-off program including a speaker, dance group, singing group and the replaying of a King speech will follow registration, Bossard said.
Volunteers will be transported to their chosen service sites and will participate in some hands-on service before returning to campus at 1:30 p.m., she said.
Matt Stevens, a volunteer spokesman for Faith Missions - an organization that has participated in OSU service days for years - said students volunteering with them will help prepare and serve lunch to guests at a community kitchen.
"(OSU students) do a great job every year," Stevens said.
Students volunteering with Keep Franklin County Beautiful, a non-profit organization that promotes recycling and litter awareness, will be working in their "waste not" center, said Lindsey Christ, the organizations executive director.
At the center, students will sort through donations such as usable office supplies and help stock shelves, Christ said.
Upon returning to campus, lunch will be provided for volunteers at theHale Black Cultural Center. A march from campus to city hall will follow.
Iota Phi Theta, a predominantly black fraternity, began the march in 2002 said member Chad Cannon, a graduate student in social work.
The fraternity is encouraging all of its 17 members to participate not only in the march, but also in the service projects. It expects around 500 students to turn out for the service day and 300 for the march, Cannon said.
Iota Phi Theta president Chibundu Nnake and vice president Jarrett Lumpkin will also serve as site leaders Monday, Cannon said.
The fraternity came up with this year's theme, "Keeping the dream alive in '05", and Cannon hopes to emphasize the equal opportunities King brought to all people, not just blacks.
"Celebrate his legacy," Cannon said. "(Do not) just stay at home and sleep."
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