Last year, United Way of Wayne County held their first annual MLK Weekend of Service. The weekend consisted of a Saturday of smoke alarm installations for adult volunteers followed by a day of service for children and teens. “We believe that honoring Martin Luther King’s legacy with a day of service is a great way to bring together people and resources in order to improve our community,” said Sherry Archibald, United Way of Wayne County Executive Director.
Due to the current restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s weekend of service is a bit more socially distanced. “Our community is a caring one. We have people constantly reaching out wanting to do something to help, so we wanted to find a way to still hold this event yet hold it in a way that is responsible and safe,” said Archibald.
The first opportunity to serve is Thursday, January 14th. Volunteers can donate blood at two locations in Goldsboro. There is a blood drive from 10:00 A.M.—2:30 P.M. at 1601 Clingman Street (sponsored by the Goldsboro City Employees) and at the same time at 600 N. George Street (sponsored by Wayne County Employees). For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Goldsboro. The blood drives are sponsored by the American Red Cross and fully complies with the CDC’s guidelines. The need for blood is high as the pandemic has resulted in decreased opportunities for donations.
The second opportunity to serve is at 1:00 P.M. at the Brookdale on Country Day Road. 15 volunteers or volunteer units (families) will spend an hour rotating around to resident’s windows and chatting with them. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4DA5AB2DA7F8C43-brookdale . This link can also be found on United Way of Wayne County’s Facebook page or by requesting it via rachel@unitedwayne.org. Seniors have faced an increasing risk of loneliness during the pandemic and this event is designed to provide them with community connection. This is the first of many engagement events in partnership with Brookdale. To inquire about future events please call Rachel at 919-736-3591.
