Inspiring hope, unity: United Way of Anderson County Dream Day, celebrating MLK's legacy

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, the United Way of Anderson County held its annual Dream Day event.

At 8 a.m., volunteers met up at Westside Community Center's New Gym at 1100 W. Franklin St.

Jerome Hudson led a prayer and thank you message to the sponsors and everyone who participated. "This event would not be possible without our amazing sponsors and volunteers dedicated to making a difference in the community," Hudson said.

Carol Burdette, president of United Way of Anderson County, thanked everyone for their commitment and stressed the importance of working together to improve this world.

As United Way of Anderson County's CEO in 2006, Burdette said she noticed no organizations honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.

In honor of King, United Way organized a DREAM day of service. This year, more than 150 people volunteered in the community.

Keynote Speaker Travis Rice told the story of his upbringing and the challenges he faced on the way to finding his purpose as a nurse, proud father of twin teenage daughters, Logan Claire Rice and Lauren Tyler Rice, and as a leader in his community and as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, where he serves with his local chapter, Rho Delta Lambda.

Rice expressed the importance of service to build stronger communities and give back to society.

After the meeting, volunteers were split into groups and assigned tasks to local agencies around the community.

Safe Harbors for Domestic Violence Victims, United Way of Anderson County, and Anderson Interfaith Ministries were among the agencies. Other projects include charities and nonprofits such as The Lot Project, Hope Missions, Garden South Main, and Mercy Center.

Families, church groups, civic clubs, and individuals work together to support these organizations and projects in the community.

The dream volunteers worked from 9 a.m. until noon, Burdette said.

The projects included painting, construction, cleaning, sorting food, landscaping, organizing, and more.

Volunteering has taught him the importance of working together and helping others, Anderson County resident Josiah Lian said.

"Martin Luther King Jr. taught me how to be confident and stand up for justice and equality despite what people think," Lian said. The fact that everyone showed up on a cold Saturday morning to give back to the community is a powerful testament to King's legacy.

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Bringing dreams to life: United Way of Anderson County's annual MLK Dream Day