Americans urged to volunteer on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
- By Staff Writer
- Published 01/11/2010
- Community
- Unrated
WASHINGTON, DC— With the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service just days away, the Corporation for National and Community Service is urging Americans to honor Dr. King’s memory and further his legacy by joining in service projects in their communities on the January 18 King Holiday.
Momentum is building for the annual day of service, with thousands of projects planned across the country. The Corporation is leading the national effort, working in partnership with the King Center, nonprofit and faith-based groups, national service programs, and schools and businesses to encourage Americans to serve on the holiday and throughout the year.
“Martin Luther King devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice, and opportunity for all, and taught us that everyone has a role to play in making America what it ought to be,” said Nicola Goren, the Corporation’s Acting CEO. “By making King Day ‘a day on, not a day off,’ and using the holiday as a springboard for service throughout the year, we can renew our communities and our country as we help realize Dr. King’s dream of building the Beloved Community.”
Americans are encouraged to visit Serve.gov/mlkday to find volunteer opportunities in their communities or to create their own projects. Service opportunities range from feeding the hungry and refurbishing local schools to weatherizing homes and providing employment counseling. Many organizations use the day to recruit volunteers to serve throughout the year.
In 1994, Congress passed legislation encouraging Americans to observe the King Holiday as a national day of service that brings people together from different backgrounds to meet needs in their community. The Corporation for National and Community Service was designated as the lead federal agency to execute the King Day of Service. Participation has grown every year since then its inception. The King Day of Service provides American the opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King through service to meet local and national needs. For more information, visit www.Serve.gov/MLKDay or www.MLKDay.gov.
Momentum is building for the annual day of service, with thousands of projects planned across the country. The Corporation is leading the national effort, working in partnership with the King Center, nonprofit and faith-based groups, national service programs, and schools and businesses to encourage Americans to serve on the holiday and throughout the year.
“Martin Luther King devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice, and opportunity for all, and taught us that everyone has a role to play in making America what it ought to be,” said Nicola Goren, the Corporation’s Acting CEO. “By making King Day ‘a day on, not a day off,’ and using the holiday as a springboard for service throughout the year, we can renew our communities and our country as we help realize Dr. King’s dream of building the Beloved Community.”
Americans are encouraged to visit Serve.gov/mlkday to find volunteer opportunities in their communities or to create their own projects. Service opportunities range from feeding the hungry and refurbishing local schools to weatherizing homes and providing employment counseling. Many organizations use the day to recruit volunteers to serve throughout the year.
In 1994, Congress passed legislation encouraging Americans to observe the King Holiday as a national day of service that brings people together from different backgrounds to meet needs in their community. The Corporation for National and Community Service was designated as the lead federal agency to execute the King Day of Service. Participation has grown every year since then its inception. The King Day of Service provides American the opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King through service to meet local and national needs. For more information, visit www.Serve.gov/MLKDay or www.MLKDay.gov.