Notre Dame Law School Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Annual Day of Service | News | The Law School

A large group of people, including children and adults, pose for a photo in the high-ceilinged and arched Eck Commons at the University of Notre Dame. The hall features large windows and wooden accents. Several round tables with chairs are scattered throughout the room.

On Monday, January 20, Notre Dame Law School held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, honoring the legacy of the civil rights leader and his tireless pursuit of racial and social justice. The event brought together over 100 students, faculty, and staff at our main campus and with our London Law Programme, who devoted their morning to volunteering for local nonprofit organizations in the South Bend community.

This long-standing tradition at the Law School reflects its commitment to embodying the Catholic mission of the University of Notre Dame and embracing the responsibility to serve others.

Some service projects were completed within the Law School buildings, while others involved volunteers working directly at various nonprofits across South Bend to support their missions.

This year’s projects included:

A person wearing a green sweatshirt and jeans places an ironing board into a narrow closet. A handwritten sign on the closet door reads, "Do NOT put anything near extinguisher that reduces access—Fire Hazard." A partially obscured fire extinguisher is visible near the ironing board.

Ronald McDonald House: Cleaned, organized storage spaces, and did meal prep.
St. Margaret’s House: Volunteers helped organize the food pantry.
REAL Services, Inc.: Collected donations for clients.
Pack Away Hunger: Assembled meal kits to combat hunger.
St. Peter Claver Catholic Worker House/Our Lady of the Road: Deep cleaning and prepared food to freeze.
St. Vincent de Paul of St. Joseph County: Made fleece blankets.
Green Bridge Growers: Painted and seeded plants.
Hope Ministries: Engaged with families and children.
Resale to the Rescue: Sorted donations and cleaned the facility.
Refuge Network International: Prepared sandwiches and distributed hot meals in London.

After the service projects concluded at noon, participants gathered at the Law School for food and fellowship, reflecting on their collective efforts and the spirit of Dr. King’s call to action.

This year’s Day of Service stands as a testament to the enduring power of community engagement and the importance of continuing Dr. King’s mission of justice, equality, and service.

Read below to learn what inspired members of the Notre Dame Law community to volunteer in the Law School's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

Two individuals work on the wooden frame of a greenhouse. One person, wearing a dark green jacket and black winter hat, uses a power drill to secure a piece of the frame. The other person assists, their plaid scarf visible as they hold the frame steady.

Notre Dame students wearing hairnets and gloves package food in a hallway with a high ceiling and open second-floor balcony. Another photo shows a person in a green shirt carrying a clear container of bottled goods in a storage room.

Brianna Ivy, 3L, Volunteer for Ronald McDonald House:

"I volunteered for the MLK Jr. Day of Service because I want to prioritize spending more time serving others, especially those who may be in need of more care and attention. I volunteered with Ronald McDonald House and am so glad I got to see firsthand how they go above and beyond to try to make a hard time in those families' lives an enjoyable experience."

Professor Francisco J. Urbina, Associate Professor of Law, Volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul of St. Joseph County:

"It’s inspiring to see the Law School community—families and children included—unite each year in service to those in need. This tradition reflects so well what we are as a Law School."

Gus Hardy, 1L, Volunteer for Pack Away Hunger:

“I chose to come here today because it’s important as we’re starting out law school to get in the habit of giving back. As lawyers, we’re going to be expected to give back to society, do pro bono work, give aid to those who need it the most, and I want to start here to build up that foundation now so that when the time comes to get into the world and begin practicing, I’m going to do that so much more easily, readily, and joyfully.”

Professor Kari Gallagher, Legal Writing Associate Teaching Professor, Volunteer for Pack Away Hunger:

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to serving others and pursuing justice. I cannot think of a better way to honor and celebrate his memory than through a day of service.”

Kimberly West, 2L, Volunteer for Hope Ministries:
"I am inspired by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s decision to sacrifice a convenient life for one that exemplified radical servanthood. That is why I chose to volunteer at Hope Ministries with my peers to make it a ‘day on, not a day off.’ MLK Day reminds me that service is a gift, not only to those we serve, but also to ourselves."

Mónica Elizabeth Nuño Nuño, LL.M. Student, Volunteer for St. Margaret’s House:

“I’m volunteering today because I believe as human beings, we are part of a big community and every time we have the chance to help the most vulnerable, we have to do it.”

Paul Bauer, Exchange Student, Volunteer for St. Margaret’s House:

“I volunteered today because Notre Dame has been very welcoming to me as an exchange student, and so I just wanted to give something back to the community.”

Rita Cueva, Office Coordinator, Notre Dame Law School Global Human Rights Clinic, Volunteer for Resale to the Rescue:

“One of my favorite Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes is, ‘Life's most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”’ Giving back to the community that you live in, in honor of MLK Day, is not only an honor, but a blessing. It was a great joy to come alongside Notre Dame faculty, staff, and students and serve at Resale to the Rescue this year.”

A student wearing a blue "Martin Luther King Jr. 2025 Day of Service" t-shirt walks down the center aisle of a food pantry stocked with shelves full of canned goods and boxes. Metal rolling carts flank the aisle.