AFH Baton Rouge MLK Day of Service 2025 facilitated service sites across the city from Friday, January 17th to Monday, January 20th. LSU and Southern University teams united to strengthen and uplift the Baton Rouge community through meaningful action and collaboration. Their efforts made a tangible difference in the community from hospital visits, cat hygiene maintenance to neighborhood cleanups, home revitalizations, and youth empowerment initiatives.
Our culminating event was with The Walls Project, a long-standing partner of Athletes for Hope, that has welcomed athletes for MLK Day of Service since 2016. This year, we revitalized the Eden Park neighborhood through mural painting, garden bed refreshes, and blight cleanup efforts. This event wrapped up with a vibrant MLK Block Party and Resource Fair, celebrating our community’s culture and progress.
Through these opportunities, our student-athletes exemplified the spirit of service, giving their time and energy to make Baton Rouge a better place. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community partners Cat Haven, The Walls Project, OLOL Children’s Hospital, LA Key Academy, ErionD Noire Enterprises, Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman, Girls on the Run, and Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank that made this day possible.
“I had a great time interacting and engaging with the community through sports today! Athletics provides an opportunity to connect people of all backgrounds and ages, and it was so fun to be a part of that today!” – Sydney Cheesman, LSU Soccer
“I think today was a great opportunity to be able to give back to a community that pours so much support into us athletes. It was a very easy way to get engagement in the community by being able to play soccer as well as interact with some of the future hopeful potential lsu athletes. Today was fun!” – Jazmin Ferguson, LSU Soccer
“During my MLK day of service, I was able to work alongside my fellow athletes at LSU to give back to the community that gives so much support and love to us. It was meaningful to me because this was Dr. King’s dream, for us to work together in peace, and I feel that we accomplished that today.” – Kaiya Key, LSU Track &Field
“Serving on MLK Day was an opportunity to give back and honor Dr. King’s legacy. We helped vendors set up their stations, organized paint for volunteers, and worked on blight cleanup in the Eden Park neighborhood, knowing our efforts would create a brighter and more welcoming community for everyone.“- Jailyn Rogers, Southern Bowling
“We had a great time helping out the kids at LA Key Academy today! It was very fun playing basketball and soccer with them. Watching them reminds me of when I was a kid growing up playing sports. This reminds me why we came out today! Nothing makes me happier than seeing smiles on the kids faces.”-Luke Haskew, LSU Men’s Golf“I had a great time serving local kids at the Louisiana Key Academy today! We had lots of fun playing basketball, dodgeball, and just getting to know each other. The joy on each kids face throughout the day reminded me of why I serve.”-Holden Webb, LSU Men’s Golf
Girls On The Run
Service Descriptions:
- Cat Haven – Student-athletes cared for cats awaiting adoption, ensuring clean and comfortable living spaces by spot-cleaning rooms, providing fresh food and water, and monitoring the cats’ health.
- OLOL Children’s Hospital Activity Room & Room Visits – At the hospital, volunteers brightened patients’ days by reading books, facilitating games, and engaging in uplifting room visits.
- LA Key Academy Field Day – Athletes facilitated sports stations, led exercises, and engaged with youth, promoting health and fun in an energetic field day environment.
- Senior Citizen Home Revitalization – Volunteers revitalized a senior citizen’s home in District 5, providing lawn care and yard cleanup to enhance the property’s livability.
- Girls on the Run Season Prep – Gymnastics student-athletes prepped for race day by organizing supplies and assembling participant bags for the spring season.
- Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank – LSU Men’s Baseball, alongside their sponsor LA Blue, sorted and organized food, ensuring packages were ready for distribution to families in need.
- Collegiate High School Cleanup – Volunteers revitalized the school garden and participated in youth empowerment activities, leaving a lasting impression on the students.
- 72nd Street Park – Volunteers transformed the park by planting flowers, painting, and assembling equipment, creating a more vibrant space for the community to enjoy.
- The Walls Project MLK Festival – Volunteers brought new life to the Eden Park Neighborhood by painting, refreshing garden beds, and tackling blight cleanup. The day concluded with a lively MLK Block Party and Resource Fair.
