I was privileged to attend a luncheon today dedicated to honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In my mind, Dr. King was a great orator and public servant.  He also was very involved with the church. I admire his visionary spirit and his commitment to champion the cause of equal rights for all people.

Today, the 124 people who attended the gathering, which was hosted by Waukesha County Technical College and put together by a collaboration of many Waukesha County organizations, were privileged to a good lunch and a great panel discussion. The three different organizations that were recognized for service to the community included: the Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps also known as ARCh, Tailored Label Products, and the Waukesha School District.  In brief, I will highlight each organization’s contribution to the community and to this event.

The ARCh youth team happens to be an organization that I was involved with in high school. Jennifer Horth, who previously served as the coordinator of the youth team, is now the executive director of the organization.  The youth team, in addition to other activities, focuses on performing presentations to middle school and high school groups on the topics of accepting differences and eliminating stereotypes.  If you have not seen a Differences: Gotta Have ‘Em presentation, it would definitely be well worth your time.  I asked Jennifer, based on the feedback received from the presentations, if we are doing any better in our schools today on the issue of acceptance.  She stated that, in the middle schools especially, many people use text messaging in negative ways to hurt people.  Horth said we all just need to remember the golden rule.  The youth team is comprised of students from different Waukesha County middle schools and high schools.  Horth, and pre-selected audience volunteers, performed an excerpt from a youth team skit titled A Mask that Hides.

Michael Erwin works for Tailored Label Products.  I met Michael when he and I were both recognized at the Inspire by Example awards banquet put on by the United Way of Waukesha County.  Tailored Label Products, based in Menominee Falls, uses its program “Touches the Lives of People” by encouraging its employees to find meaningful ways to be involved in the community.  Michael stated that many employees come to him with their own ideas of service that they can perform.

Jim Haessly works for the Waukesha School District.  It’s an exciting challenge that our schools are becoming even more ethnically and racially diverse.  In early March, the school district will be offering a diversity training which Haessly invited those in attendance to be a part of.  Haesley also said that he has many resources to offer the community, including a video on white privilege.

Major Carol Lemirand of the Waukesha Salvation Army said that it was exciting to see the community collaboration.  Lemirand also led a tour of the Salvation Army as a part of the See the Dream bus tour, which immediately followed the luncheon.

The above is an example of how Waukesha County organizations are encouraging people to live out King’s dream.  I would like to encourage you, the reader of this column, to do simple acts of service.  Earlier today, Carroll University faculty and members of the women’s basketball team volunteered at six different metro Milwaukee agencies doing a variety of things, including working in a food pantry, painting, and sorting clothing. This is Carroll’s second annual MLK day of service, says volunteer coordinator Katie Launius.  I am also aware that today, volunteers are helping with clean-up due to the fire at the Fox Bluff apartments this weekend.  Dr. King would truly be proud of Waukesha County residents today, and every day who take the time to give the time.