Deonte Turnley, multicultural program advisor for the Multicultural Center at the University of Southern Indiana, is snipping fabric to prepare them to become tie-blankets with the help of students, staff and alumni volunteers.
“Once we've tied them together, we stack them up and later on this week. We'll be donating them to the local shelters to help people stay warm during the cold winter months here in Evansville.”
This is the volunteer component of USI’s Martin Luther King holiday celebration.
Pamela Hopson, executive director of the Multicultural Center said the purpose of this activity is two fold.
“One is to strengthen our community here at USI, and also to give back to the community in which we live in to those who are less fortunate,” she said. “We have set a goal for ourselves of 75 to 100 blankets.”
One of the sites expected to receive the blankets is the local YWCA.
Turnley said they’ve assembled at least 50 as of Friday afternoon. He had to run to the craft store for more fabric.
Hopson is optimistic the weather won't turn on their celebratory luncheon with a keynote speaker with short film, Major General Barrye Price on MLK Day. USI will issue a news release if anything changes.
“We're going to think positive, we're going to move forward and say that 'this will happen.'” She said the events are important to keep the work of Martin Luther King on people’s minds.
Hopson said the luncheon is sold out, but the screening at the Screaming Eagles Arena is not.
Announced Friday morning, all Monday events at the University of Evansville have been modified or canceled due to the wintry weather forecast.
The rally and symbolic march are canceled. The Faith-based service at Neu Chapel scheduled for 8:30 A.M has been moved to an online-only video event.
UE Chief Communications Officer Noah Alatza said the day of service Saturday January 13, and luncheon with presentation Wednesday are still on as scheduled.
“One thing is we've really made a push for this to be more community-focused and more community-facing, so to speak,” he said. “Saturday, January 20, we're holding our inaugural Conference on Community Solidarity. And that's open to all Evansville community members.”
Learn more about the UE events here
Ivy Tech Evansville’s event is January 18 at noon hosting the Southern Indiana Mentoring Academy (SIMA). Their event information can be found on Facebook.
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