While Martin Luther King Jr. Day is designated as a day of service, this challenge asked team members to make an impact through a charity, community group or helping a neighbor, friend or loved one in need. As we continue to fight against COVID-19, even seemingly small gestures go a long way in helping others.
Vidant Experience Catalyst Whitney Watson led the challenge and said it was an amazing opportunity to call on team members who make great impacts in their communities through their work.
“Leading this initiative gave me the opportunity to present a paradigm shift to our system in how we honor Dr. King,” Watson said. “I wanted every team member to know that Dr. King’s dream is for all of us, regardless of our differences.”
Team members got involved through many different channels and eagerly took on the challenge. Team members volunteered at a number of locations, including food banks, senior living facilities, a ranch and even assisting in preparing the Greenville Convention Center to host Vidant and Pitt County’s large-scale vaccination effort.
Nancy Turner, program coordinator with Vidant Health Careers, was one of the many team members who accepted the challenge. Turner spent time volunteering at the Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program, where she has volunteered for nearly two years.
“I enjoy working with the horses, I enjoy working outside and most importantly, I love working with the special needs exceptional children population,” Turner said. “I was able to spend several hours working with the horses and also training new volunteers as we get ready to start our new spring session in February.”
She said it was a great way to spend time giving back to an organization she loves during the MLK Week of Service.
Watson said the efforts of Vidant team members in the community service space are critical to breaking down barriers.
“Serving the communities where we live and work gives us an even deeper connection to those we strive to care for in eastern North Carolina,” she said. “It gives us the opportunity to join the fight in eliminating disparities and allows us to give every single person in our community a chance to not just survive, but thrive.”
It’s not too late to take up the challenge and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through service to others. You can always reach out to charities, food banks or those in need and lend a helping hand. Dr. King’s message was often one of love, caring and hope and through service we can live out his dream.
Hear more Martin Luther King Jr. Day messages from Vidant Health team members: