On January 19, 2026, the Center for Service and Leadership hosted its annual MLK Day of Service. More than 300 students spent their holiday honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by volunteering for projects throughout the local community.
The Serve Big team coordinated with 15 nonprofit partners, including Metro Animal Shelter, West Alabama Food Bank, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, and Temporary Emergency Services. These collaborations provided students with diverse opportunities to create a tangible and lasting impact across Tuscaloosa.
Impact made by the volunteers included:
- Environmental Stewardship: Students collected 327 pounds of trash along the Black Warrior River.
- Animal Advocacy: Volunteers made 500 toys for shelter animals and assisted with onsite care.
- Combating Hunger: Teams packed over 900 “Secret Meals” for the food bank’s weekend backpack program.
- Community Care: Students created Valentine’s Day cards for patients at DCH and organized a forest care closet.
When asked why the MLK Day of Service matters to them, one student shared, “Because it’s a day on, not a day off. If there is anything I can do in my free time, it is serve my community.” Their words reflect the purpose of the day and the impact service has on both the community and the students involved.
