Young students offer hope on MLK day of service [Video]

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — Walking around the Two Rivers High School gymnasium on Monday, JaeLynn Dodson couldn’t help but marvel at the 435 students and community members who had come to volunteer their time on a day that none of them had to be in school.

“I feel an overwhelming pride and also joy,” said Dodson, a senior. “It’s amazing how many people come to support our Key Club and their community.”

Amazing, because when Dodson and her older sister dreamed up the idea of organizing a day of service during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at their school three years ago, the response was much more modest.

“We had eight people show up,” Dodson said. “It was a little underwhelming, but even with that eight people, …