Volunteers recognize MLK Day with service

Weathering the frigid temperatures, the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center’s EEO Diversity and Inclusion Committee participated in the MLK Day of Service by partnering with the United Gospel Rescue Mission to serve community members in need on Monday.

This is the second year the group has participated in this activity, but this year they cooked as well as the served a special lunch meal, said Janice L. Taylor, EEO manager.

Mission Executive Director Greg Kirk texted Taylor Sunday night to see if the group might need to cancel because of the weather. She assured him they all lived in town and would make it.

“We really appreciate the VA,” said Kirk, adding, “Monday, we had probably 70 people; it was just a nasty day. It is always a good time with the VA. They are really nice people and I look forward to doing more with them.”

Kirk said, everyone was begging for seconds on the each cobbler.

Taylor was excited “because this year is a little bit different. My sister Paula Taylor, she is the is the supervisor of the kitchen out at Sears Youth Center. We worked with her as well. So we are actually going to not only serve the food, but we are going to cook the meal as well.”

Taylor said, “We’re really excited about it. We worked with Pastor Kirk on the menu, so we’re going to cook the meal, and then we have volunteers to serve the meal as well. The menu we have planned is fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, homemade peach cobbler and homemade rolls.”

Among those participating were Paula Taylor of Sears Youth Center, Alexis Tipton, Sharma Lawhor-Edwards, Janice Taylor, Jackie Brown, Theresa Williams, Aubrey Boles, 11, Kendall Boles, 8, Demi Jackson, 7, and Martinie Franks of the VA and sons, Ian and Aspen Franks

Any employee and their families welcome to participate.

Tayor said, “We’re working with the VA, as a whole, we’re all about serving our veterans, but this gives us an opportunity to do service in the community and make those connections. So people know the VA is here, we’re part of you as well. With it being MLK Day, the only federal holiday, that’s actually a day of service. It rings home. It’s the perfect time to volunteer for everybody. It’s the perfect if you do nothing else all year long but the day, the day of services isn’t a to actually go out and volunteer.”

Taylor said, their group is looking forward to doing this for other special observance as well, Any employee and their families were welcome to participate.

VA Chief Of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Lacey McClintock stated, “This is a family friendly environment and kids we welcome on this Day of Service as we ‘serve’ our community.”