CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, around 150 volunteers gathered at Burley Middle School to assemble over 1,000 hygiene and warmth kits for the unhoused community in Charlottesville on Monday morning.

The event, co-hosted by United Way of Charlottesville and Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, was the first MLK Day of Service event the former organization has done. Untied Way of Charlottesville’s Chief Engagement Officer Caroline Emerson told Cville Right Now that while the organization has facilitated projects with partner in previous years, this was there first time doing a big project, which she called “super, super successful.”

“We surely want it to be annual,” she said. “Clearly families really enjoy volunteering together and bringing their kids so that they can learn about the value of service. It’s just a great way for people to learn about the community, to learn about needs in the community, and how they can make a difference, so we definitely want to continue this.”

Emerson said the atmosphere inside during the event was “raucous,” with kids running around and volunteers working quickly to get the kits together. Among them was Eric Gates, who volunteered with his co-workers from Albemarle County Service Authority. Gates said the environment was “a little bit crazy and hectic,” but fun to be around, and he would definitely o it again.

“It was a good experience overall,” he told Cville Right Now. “It was good to see a whole bunch of people in one spot and everyone being really happy and one special cause.”

At the end of the event, Gates and others helped load the kits into a car that delivered them to the Salvation Army and the Haven. Emerson said a representative from The Haven was at the event and expressed their gratitude.

“Folks are really struggling,” Emerson said, “and people really want to help. Our community is very very generous in that way and wants to make a difference. So, this is just something United Way can do to help bridge that gap and help people connect with people that really need assistance.”

Around the area, community members marked the holiday. At Woodbrook Elementary School, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Walk saw people walk laps around the school’s outdoor track while music and Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech played over speakers. With a raffle and poster contest, the event raised money for the Jefferson School, Charlottesville’s African American Heritage Center.

UVA football coach Tony Elliott was among those in attendance.