Interfaith Day of Service SUMMARY

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What is the Interfaith day of Service?
"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." ~ Martin Luther King
The Clark County Interfaith Day of Service honored the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. by bringing together people of many cultures and faiths to serve. Through our shared commitment to service, we went beyond mere tolerance of diversity to build positive relationships as we worked with one another. We hope various faith communities will join us for this fun event in the future.

Martin Luther King Day: January 18th, 2010
175 people of all ages and faith traditions met for breakfast, generously provided by Loaves and Fishes, at 8:30 am at the Luepke Center. After several interfaith activities and comments from Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker and Subeeh Siddiqui, a local Moslem youth leader, we all adjourned to our service sites. We returned at noon to reflect on ways our lives and faith are nourished by service.

Service Sites

Americans Building Community Inc. (ABC)
Engaged in Service: 16
At the home of an elderly woman, recently hospitalized suffering from Alzheimer’s, two hours were filled pulling down sheet rock with crowbars and hammers, in the family room, laundry area, and bedroom. Furthermore, volunteers tore down shelves, cupboards, a stove, sink and counter, siding on the porch, and demolished the entire kitchen. This woman's house is being rehabbed to either be sold to cover her care or for her to live with her adult son, who will care for her. In fact, this very son of the woman was there, working with us. He commented, “Thank God for you people.”

“This activity was totally unexpected in the best way possible.”

Empty Bowls
Engaged in Service: 40
Empty Bowls Decorated: 20
Empty Bowls was a very fulfilling workshop given for the benefit of raising money for Loaves and Fishes. Originally, there was a class of 20 adults, each to paint one of the 20 bowls. Given the popularity of the event, 10 children from the Boys and Girls Club and 3 of their counselors, joined us. The discussion before the children arrived was one of political and faith-based causes and solutions for hunger, but when the children all sat cross-legged in front of their bowls, the essence changed from the head to the heart!

“Without understanding a concept such as hunger and starvation one cannot begin to solve it.”

Interfaith Day of Service Logo/Poster Contest
Engaged in Service: 7
Volunteers were given the chance to help design next year's Interfaith Day of Service Logo! Utensils and examples of logos were offered and then the participants themselves were given free reign to create what they believe should symbolize this extraordinary event next year. In the end we came away with eight viable options to choose from that showcase various perspectives of our community.

Loaves and Fishes
Engaged in Service: 30
Loaves and Fishes gave our volunteers an opportunity to deliver hot, nutritious meals to the elderly of our community. These meals were prepared from start to finish by our willing group.

Meals Prepared: 200

Mercy Corps Action Center
Engaged in Service: 8
An interfaith group of 8 people visited Mercy Corps' dynamic new Action Center and learned how they, individually or as part of a faith community could support International relief efforts. Due to the most recent devastation in Haiti, this was their primary focus. Over one hundred dollars was raised for this worthwhile cause.


“It made me look at the world in a completely new light.”

Oak Bridge Teen Shelter
Engaged in Service: 12
Teens painted a mural designed by a local artist. The sketch was pre-posted on the wall of their home so that the two hours spent painting would be optimized. Kids between the ages of twelve and fifteen took brushes into their own hands to benefit their peers who may not have had the same opportunities. Everyone enjoyed the artistic chance to express themselves and their hopes for those who live in these walls.
“I never got to do anything like this before!”

Project Linus
Engaged in Service: 27
Drawing on Muslim quilt squares with fabric markers, was just the beginning. Next, the participants took the squares, stitched them together with printed fabric, to make quilt tops. Additionally, they took fleece and knotted the ends to make blankets. All of these blankets are distributed through Southwest Medical to kids who have endured a traumatic experience. With this comfort in mind, uplifting designs were created that would appeal to these youth. At least six participants have plans to return, while others will donate what they have!
“We all make a difference in our own ways!”

Vancouver Watersheds
Engaged in Service: 15
Together with an estimated 150 volunteers from other organizations, volunteers with the Interfaith Day of Service Vancouver Watersheds Team assisted in planting shrubs at the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway. All of the volunteers helped plant 5,000 tress and shrubs over the course of the day, and helped spread mulch to protect the newly planted saplings. One IFDS volunteer stated that he now has a greater interest in volunteering regularly, while another said she was very happy to have the opportunity to help the environment.


Closing Gathering:
We celebrated our collective work by viewing the work of each team and sharing what was learned and valued by each service team. Participants also learned about additional opportunities to serve through A Parents’ Guide to Family Service in Clark County.

"I had a wonderful MLK service day today with 2 granddaughters...met some great people and quilted for children who have experienced trauma. We all agreed we want to do it again next year. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the dream that Martin Luther King, Jr. had!"

With Gratitude….