On January 20, 2025, Stockton University celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 21st annual Day of Service, where service projects were held on four campus locations: Galloway, Atlantic City, Hammonton, and Woodbine. The day started with registration and breakfast held for attendees, who ranged from students in middle and high school to Stockton students, parents, faculty and staff, and many other community members.

After registration, President Joe Bertolino gave empowering opening remarks to start off the momentous day. “This really speaks to who we are as a community,” Bertolino said, “This is what the Stockton Spirit is about. Today as a community, we are living our values. Stockton, our goal is to make sure that everyone in our community is treated with dignity, respect, kindness, compassion, and civility.”

At 9 a.m., over 900 people on the Galloway campus dispersed into their service group locations. Projects included, but were not limited to, NICU hats or capes with project partner, Tri Sigma Sorority; peanut butter and jelly making for local food bank agencies with project partner, Muslim Student Association; and volunteer opportunities to make hospitality cards at many of the Stockton locations. Some of the service projects had more than one opportunity to get involved in helping, and many service projects ran from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to allow for folks to attend multiple projects. In short, the mission was to help foster support for as many areas of the community as possible.

Once the service projects ended, all attendees were able to fill out a survey about their experience and receive one of the following items: beanie, lunch box, or a shirt that represented the dedication to service on this national holiday. As a great way to give back to the community, be sure to look out for next year’s Day of Service festivities.