The day before spring semester classes started, students gathered to honor the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by engaging in a special act of community service.
The three dozen Saints set to work putting together fleece blankets and personal care kits, which were then delivered to the Children’s Hospital at Albany Med and the Albany nonprofit Refugee & Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE). Joshua Anthony, assistant director of Siena’s Center for Academic Community Engagement (ACE) organized the MLK Day of Service on January 19.
“Dr. King’s legacy as a civil rights leader was rooted in service, not only to his own community, but to the broader community as well,” said Anthony. “It was inspiring to see Siena students carry that legacy forward through meaningful service and intentional reflection on what it means to be civically engaged citizens – not only for one day, but for the rest of their lives.”
Raenell Holder ’26, a Bonner service leader, called the Day of Service “a huge, welcome privilege.”
“To be able to use my hands, energy and efforts to create and put together meaningful pieces that will be appreciated and accepted with gratitude from other members in our society is such an honor,” said Holder. “I love being able to give back to my community and this is why I remain ever so appreciative for all of the opportunities the Bonner Service Leaders Program has provided for me!”
NExT Fellow Alyssa Gonzalez ‘28 said she appreciated the opportunity to perform service she most likely would not have been able to do without Siena.
“Connecting with my peers to give back to the community was truly special to see, and I would love to do another service day like this in the future!” she said.
Elizabeth Holden ’26 is also a Bonner, and enjoyed doing service in a big group setting.
“Service builds communities, and that is exactly what we do in Bonner,” said Holden. “Getting the chance to chat and bond while making the blankets was super fun, especially while celebrating such a special day as MLK Day.”
Rebecah Leonard ’26 said she chose to participate as a NExT fellow “because Dr. King’s message reminds us that real change comes through serving others with compassion and purpose.”
