One woman’s charge to follow the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. turned into a day of service and a donation so big a dump truck delivered it.
“When Black women serve, baby we serve,” said activist and media personality Sheletta Brundidge, who organized the Black Women’s Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20. “I know Dr. King was smiling on us from heaven when he saw the impact.”
Inspiration for the Black Women’s Day of Service is the result of Brundidge following Michelle Obama’s lead and not making the Presidential Inauguration a part of her day on Jan. 20. Instead, she wanted to focus on MLK Day and what Dr. King considered life’s most persistent and urgent question, “What are you doing for others?”
Brundidge learned Harriet Tubman Center East in Maplewood needed bedding for its guests, so she put the word out and gathered a crowd to help the organization. “Tubman serves people experiencing relationship violence, trafficking and homelessness,” said Heather Petri, director of communications and public policy at Tubman. “We serve about 17,000 to 18,000 people a year.”
So far, 617 new items have been donated including 160 bed-in-a-bag sets, 94 sheet sets, 79 blankets and 227 pillows. The women also donated pillowcases, towels, washcloths and even makeup samples and body butter. The event also inspired more than $13,000 in monetary donations to Tubman.
The donations came from women like Yolanda Pierson, who also lent a dump truck to help deliver all the bedding to Tubman East. Volunteers watched in the below-zero temperatures on Jan. 20 as the dump truck opened its back gate and pillows, comforters, sheets and more poured out.
“It's just a great feeling,” said Pierson, co-owner of Pierson & Sons Trucking. “It's like we're living the legacy of MLK and we're starting our own legacy. Watching all the people bringing stuff, it's a sense of community, a sense of belonging,” said Pierson. Tubman guests who receive the bedding will also feel that sense of belonging when they need it most.
“Providing bedding, bed-in-a-bag, sheets, comforters, blankets and pillows makes our guests feel welcome and at home during a time that's really challenging and difficult for them,” said Petri of Tubman.
Each guest at Tubman will also be able to bring their bedding with them for a fresh start when they move out of Tubman and into their own home. If you are interested in donating, Tubman asks you to reach out as their supplies and needs are constantly changing. Find out how you can help by calling Tubman at 612-825-3333 or send an email to give@tubman.org
If you need Tubman’s services, please call their 24-hour crisis and resource line at 612-825-0000. If it is an emergency, call 911.