NOVA Served Virtually Honoring Dr. King

NOVA served…virtually on Mon., Jan. 18. Over 100 volunteer students, faculty, staff, family and community members, zoomed together to commemorate the rich legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in service. Opening ceremonies included poetry by Kim B. Miller (Poet Laureate for Prince William County) and Nicole Tong (Poet Laureate for Fairfax County); remarks by President Anne Kress and Vice President Frances Villagran-Glover; a keynote address by Tiffney Laing (Founder and CEO, Bevy and Dave); and dancing with StepAfika!

In breakout rooms, volunteers wrote over 500 cards of appreciation, gratitude and admiration for first responders, hospital workers, long-term care facility employees, senior citizens and MEC students. Families in the writers’ workshop participated in storytelling by children’s book authors (Karen Cuthrell, Sharon Cruikshank and Nichole Jackson) and writing with poets laureate (Kim B. Miller and Nicole Tong).

Volunteers continued to take steps toward service and justice by participating in a virtual 5K. In addition to serving collectively during the actual service day, students, colleagues and friends, so far, have collected 257 pairs of gently used shoes for Soles4Souls in a virtual donation drive.

Please take a moment to watch this short video tribute to NOVA Serves and its rich 12-year legacy.

Special thanks to the volunteers, poets, speakers, facilitators and the planning committee for executing this college-wide day of service with excellence,