

Eureka College MLK Day of Service to Include Young Local Entrepreneur Madalyn Schmitt
EUREKA — A local high school student whose story has inspired many will be bringing her creativity and generosity to Eureka College for EC’s Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20.
Madalyn Schmitt, a senior at University High School in Normal, Illinois, started her own Etsy shop, Madalyn Harley Designs, in 2017.
Since then, she has incorporated her passions — her faith, mental health awareness and theatre, among others —into t-shirts, string art, handmade signs, insulated tumbler cups and more that she designs and sells online.
This fall, she garnered local media attention for making “super discrete tampon cases” and connecting with a non-profit to donate boxes of feminine hygiene products to local homeless shelters.
At Eureka College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Schmitt will present her story of how she’s used her business to promote important causes and help others. Then, volunteers can pitch in and help assemble packs of feminine hygiene items to be donated. Program attendees are encouraged to bring pads, tampons and hygiene wipes for the project.
Schmitt’s station is one of many service efforts and organizations that will be represented in the Terrill Rooms of the Cerf Center on Jan. 20.
The service program, Chaplain Bruce Fowlkes said, is an opportunity to create items that will benefit local charities like Schmitt's and others such as Dream Center Peoria, TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter, the Apostolic Christian Home, Operation Gratitude, The Neighborhood House, the Woodford County Heartland and Heart House, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Midwest Food Bank, and Easterseals.
In addition to feminine hygiene products, various charities and groups will be accepting donations of non-perishable food, personal hygiene and paper products, dog toys, pet food and old T-shirts.
The campus-wide service project will begin with breakfast at 8:45 followed by teams of volunteers putting items together starting at 9:30. This service opportunity is open to students, staff, faculty and the public.
Individual residents, community organizations, churches, and businesses are invited to join Eureka College in the cause. Questions may be directed to Chaplain Bruce Fowlkes at bfowlkes@eureka.edu or 309-467-6420.
Located in Eureka, Illinois, and chartered in 1855, Eureka College cultivates excellence in learning, service and leadership while providing students uniquely personalized and custom educational opportunities.
Originally founded by abolitionist members of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Eureka College holds the unique distinction of being the first college in Illinois and only the third in the nation to admit men and women on an equal basis. The College, which is located on nearly 70 wooded acres in central Illinois is the smallest of only 23 colleges and universities to ever award a bachelor’s degree to a future President of the United States.