MLK Day Inspires Acts of Service at Vitalia Solon

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States, observed on the third Monday of January to honor the civil rights leader. This American civil rights activist played a key role in advocating for racial equality and justice through nonviolent means. Therefore, people remember Dr. King’s contributions on this day and frequently engage in community service to honor his legacy.

Studies have demonstrated that volunteerism offers numerous benefits, such as:

• boosting self-confidence
• offering a sense of purpose
• promoting physical activity

Moreover, it has a proven track record of reducing stress, alleviating anxiety, combating isolation, and alleviating depression.

Contributing to the Local Area

At Vitalia Solon, many of our residents have spent time volunteering or serving others. To help older adults continue to participate in all that is important to them and to do our part in continuing Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, our community participates in Arrow Senior Living’s Acts of Service initiatives throughout the year. In January, we plan to focus on one specific community service project every month. Our aging adults take pride in these efforts because the work is meaningful and creates lasting relationships with those in their long-term communities.

Feedback from our residents who actively participated in previous Acts of Service projects has been overwhelmingly positive. Those who engaged in these projects throughout the year consistently express a deep sense of satisfaction, knowing they’ve positively impacted our neighborhood in various ways. One particularly successful project from the past year involved preparing packaged lunches for Cleveland’s homeless population. Collaborating with the Solon High School Young Hearts Club, we were able to create nearly 100 lunches. This experience was both enjoyable and incredibly rewarding, as it allowed us to contribute to our Cleveland community with the help of the younger generation.

Another heartwarming service project we undertook was the Mitten Tree initiative, which we conducted in December. Our residents collected cold-weather clothing items for children in need. What made it even more special was that they personally selected these items during their shopping trips. In the end, we were able to donate two boxes filled with coats, gloves, scarves, mittens, and socks to local children and families facing challenging circumstances.

In past years, we’ve partnered with local food banks, animal shelters, hospitals, and more. As we head into the new year, we’re excited for the opportunity to continue partnering with our local community to serve others purposefully.

2024 Acts of Service Projects

We look forward to partnering again with the Solon High School Young Hearts Club to package meals for people experiencing homelessness this month. For March, in celebration of Women’s History Month. We look forward to holding a donation drive for women needing clothing for job interviews. In July, in celebration of Disability Independence Day. The plan is to host an adaptive sports team to play chair volleyball with our Solon Strikers, raising money for disability awareness. In December, we are looking forward to Adopting a Family for Christmas.

Follow along on our journey by visiting our social media page at this link. If you’re interested in working with Vitalia Solon on our Acts of Service Projects. Contact our Resident Services Director to learn more!

Source: Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits – HelpGuide.org