Chattanoogans participate in MLK Day of Service

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., people in Chattanooga participated in a day of service.

With cleaning, scrubbing and scraping volunteers spent their morning in Signal Centers kitchen.

It was all for the city of Chattanooga’s Martin Luther King Day of Service. Around 800 volunteers participated in more than 40 projects across the city.

“We could not do all that we do if it weren’t for that spirit of volunteerism that runs so strong through Chattanooga. We rely on the community’s support and on volunteers,” said Chris Berryman, with Signal Centers.

Signal Centers helps people with disabilities become self-sufficient. When the organization requested volunteers, they were overwhelmed with the response.

“When you put it out there that you need areas degreased and cleaned and contact paper stripped. You think this will get about one person and we have just packed this building including the mayor,” Berryman said.

In addition to the city, other groups had their own service day to honor Martin Luther King Junior.

Over at the Salvation Army, jackets and clothes were placed on the fence for people in need to take.

Students at Southern Adventist University partnered with the Salvation Army to make this possible.

“We’ve actually received a lot of donations for the past few years, which I am really happy because the more we get the more people are willing to come and get more jackets and warm clothes,” said Denise Angel, a Southern Adventist University Student.

Students say they enjoy connecting with the people they are helping.

“Sometimes they will go up to you and we are just able to listen and listen to their stories. It is just a really good feeling knowing we can give back to the community and that no matter who we are, where we come from we are all the same in Christ’s eyes,” Angel said.

Jackets and clothes that were not taken, were given to the Salvation Army.