Reading, Pa. (Jan. 23, 2014) – On Martin Luther King Day, 425 Alvernia University participants, including student-athletes from the field hockey, men's lacrosse, and softball teams volunteered their time to serve at over 30 different sites around Berks County.

The service projects were organized by the University's Holleran Center for Community Engagement in honor of Martin Luther King and his dedication to helping others.

The participants were sent to different locations in and around Reading to reach out and assist as many local organizations as possible. Starting the day at 9 a.m. and returning to Alvernia at 2 p.m.

The student-athletes participated at multiple sites including Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Vision Resource Center of Berks County, Berks Encore (Reading Center), Shady Hollow Assisted Riding, Opportunity House, Berks County Residential Center, Reading Public Museum, Berks County Parks Department, Mary's Shelter, Phoebe Berks, St. Joseph's Villa, Berks County Conservancy, Drive 25, Neighborhood Housing Services, Goggleworks, Reading Area Firefighter's Museum, and Olivet Boys & Girls Club.

Men's Lacrosse junior, Billy Tharp shared his thoughts saying, "It was a rewarding experience getting to know our neighbors and finding out different ways to help the community. I felt like we accomplished a lot on Monday."

"It's amazing that working together as a team and dedicating it to service can make such a big difference for the lives of others," said Amanda Galanti, Softball and Field Hockey senior captain.

"It was an amazing experience to work with children from the areas and getting them involved with making things to send to soldiers," said Summer Liberto, sophomore Field Hockey forward. "MLK day made me want to go back and work with the kids again."

The Holleran Center coordinates weekly service opportunities for Alvernia University students, faculty, and staff with an all-campus focus on three separate days, the first during freshmen orientation, the second on MLK Day, and the third on Earth Day in April.

The Department of Athletics requires all varsity student-athletes to participate annually in at least one service opportunity above and beyond the 40 hours of community service required for each student to graduate.

"Sometimes students can treat requirements like a checklist and just cross them off once they're done," said Bill Stiles, Alvernia's Director of Athletics and Recreation.  "It's refreshing to talk to them after these service days and see them eager to sign up to do it again."