The University of Nevada, Reno's Center for Student Engagement partnered with 10 community organizations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, a nationally-recognized day encouraging citizens to give back to their community. More than 60 students participated in service projects in Washoe County Monday, Jan. 18, and I was one of them.

My volunteering peers helped at the following organizations: Kiwanis Bike Program, SPCA Thrift Store, Discovery Museum, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Friends of Washoe County Library, Habitat for Humanity, Urban Roots and Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful.

As a senior journalism student, I volunteered at the Discovery Museum helping children to draw, create and problem solve at the art and puzzle stations. I loved seeing their faces light up when they finally solved that tricky puzzle and the amount of pride and confidence they showed in their work.

Volunteering makes me proud of my community and giving back at the museum taught me that helping others discover new things is even better than discovering new things for myself.

Shahil Pema, a biochemistry and immunology student, served as one of the 10 student facilitators. He also spent his time during the service event at the Discovery Museum in the art and puzzle room with me.

"Volunteering in the Reno community allows insight into the issues that face different members of our community," said Pema. "We can each make small differences that combined, can lead to powerful change."

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, one in five Millennials volunteered in 2014 and that volunteering was associated with 27 percent higher odds of employment across all demographics.

"Students who volunteer are not only sharing their time and efforts with those in their community, they are becoming engaged citizens in their community," Amy Koeckes, associate director of the Center for Student Engagement, said. "And that's a major goal of the center, to help students become responsible citizens."