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The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Monday provided a service opportunity for the Troy University Mu Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Kemey Walker, chapter vice president, said the sorority sisters gathered at the City of Troy Tourism Office Monday morning to put together gift bags for a local shelter for battered women.

For the Mu Alpha Chapter, Monday honored the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and also provide the sorority the opportunity for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

“The purpose of our Day of Service was to put together encouragement bags for those in battered women shelters,” Walker said. “In each bag, we put warm socks and an uplifting message and a sweet treat. When the weather is cold, it’s comforting to put on soft, warm sock. And everybody needs to hear uplifting and encouraging words. The sweet treat was just another way to let these women know that somebody is thinking of them.”

The contents of the encouragement bags were purchased by the Mu Alpha Chapter AKA Sorority.

The chapter members said putting together the gift bags was a meaningful way to honor MLK Day.

Walker said, because of the nature of the occupants of the shelters, their locations are not disclosed.

“We can’t visit the shelters but we can let these women know that we are thinking of them,” Walker said.

Catherine Jordan, AKA Mu Alpha Chapter graduate advisor, said the Mu Alpha Chapter is continually looking for ways to be of service to the community, especially to those who are in need.

“AKA’s mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards and to promote unity and friendship among college women,” Jordan said. “Our mission is also to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature. And, of course to be of service to all mankind. Today’s MLK Day of Service is just one way Mu Alpha Chapter can work toward fulfilling its mission.