On MLK Day, thousands of volunteers across the state honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by volunteering in their local communities. Inspired by his selfless spirit, nearly 400 employees of Robert Wood Johnson-Barnabas Health (RWJBH) took Dr. King’s call to serve one step further, dedicating their entire week to serve in the launch of RWJBH's new Service Rallies.
Kicking off the new initiative in New Brunswick, RWJBH gave the Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) a hand by organizing hurricane relief items and creating Welcome Home Kits for people who were temporarily displaced by hurricane Irma in Puerto Rico. At Rafael Hernandez Elementary School, volunteers introduced students to STEM by teaching design with 3D pens and constructing marshmallow catapults. At Belleville High School, students learned about financial literacy while students in the after-school program at West Essex YMCA participated in nutrition workshops.
Making a difference at 18 different locations throughout the week from Trenton to Secaucus, RWJBH volunteers’ efforts reflected the humanitarian dreams that Dr. King strove for in his life. Caring for their community beyond their hospital walls, RWJBH employees' desire to do good echoes Dr. King's belief that “everybody can be great because anybody can serve.”
