Alicia Patterson: “… it’s important to be here”
NEWBURGH – Nearly 60 people ranging from international high school students, to marines, and local residents commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday on Monday by volunteering at Newburgh Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat has been doing a MLK volunteer day for the past four years. It’s a national day of giving initiated by President Obama.
Arina Sigal is a Storm King School student from Russia who was helping to empty out an old warehouse set to be demolished in order to make room for more housing.
The school requires students to do 20 hours of community service and for her, she understands the importance of King in America and the connection to community service.
“He wanted to make at point that it is important for everyone have equal opportunities so this country will be fair. So we’re trying to help people to have their opportunities too, in their life,” Sigal said.
A few blocks away sisters Margaret and Kathryn King were painting the inside of one of Habitat’s interim houses, housing for people awaiting completion of their own home.
They came to the giveback day because their parents raised them that way, according to Kathryn.
Today was special to them because it coincides with celebrating a milestone for Margaret. She got a little chocked up trying to explain, so her sister finished for her.
She does a lot of work with Newburgh Habitat and Kathryn came with her to celebrate her and Dr. King’s birthdays.
“She is so intentional in the way she gives back that this was the best way to honor her for her birthday,” Margaret said.
Alicia Patterson, of Fishkill, was painting trim in the kitchen, just
around the corner from the Kings. She’s an AmeriCorps member who
loves giving back to her community.
“I do believe that it’s important to be here,” Patterson said about the National Day of Service. “I believe that it’s a day off, and I think on your day off if you’re not doing anything we should give back to those who are less fortunate or need shelter or have children or families that need a home. I have a family of my own but I can sacrifice a day with my children to help others.”
The National Day of Service gives people who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity a chance to give back to the community and the rehabilitating of Newburgh.
Volunteers clear out a structure that will be razed to make room for new housing
