When I was an AmeriCorps member, we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day as a day on, not a day off. It was a day on which we, in honor of Dr. King, would serve our community. We sorted canned goods at a food bank. We painted a homeless shelter. We cleaned up parks and neighborhoods. I left AmeriCorps more than 10 years ago, but my commitment to service has never left me.
This year, MLK day falls the day before Inauguration Day. President-elect and Mrs. Obama have announced that they will be volunteering in their new hometown, Washington, D.C. They are encouraging all Americans to serve in their communities as well. At USAservice.org, you can sign up for projects that give back to your community.
There is no community that doesn’t need help in some way, and there is no American who doesn’t have anything to give. If you can’t volunteer, you can give blood, donate clothing to Goodwill, or maybe go through your library to pick out some books to give to the next AAUW book sale.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., led his life in service to others. Celebrate his life by giving back. I know I will — I have already signed up for my project. What about you? How are you answering this call for service? How are you spending your day on?
