Martin Luther King Day: A Call to Service
If you’re looking at the calendar for January you‘ve probably noticed that the 21st is Martin Luther King Day. At the very least it’s a three-day weekend for some of us.
The day is so much more than that. If we’ve studied history at all, we know the words and we’ve heard the speeches. Dr. King’s life and legacy is an important part of why we honor him on his birthday, but the day represents more than the celebration of the life of a great man. It represents a call to service.
King is known for his “I have a Dream” speech. He had many dreams. One of those was that we could live in a community where hunger, homelessness, and poverty didn't exist, because we all helped each other out. He hoped that each of us could become a ray of light in hard times and together build a better world.
If you want to change the world, often the best place to begin is right in your own neighborhood. Not sure what you can do or who needs your help? One place to find out is mlkday.gov. Just click on “Find a Volunteer Opportunity”, enter your zip code and you can find many volunteer projects in your area. There are such a wide variety of services needed, and you’re sure to find an opportunity that’s just right for you.
If you’re already part of a volunteer organization, you can still find great information about hosting an event or promoting one.
So don’t let January 21st just be a date on the calendar. Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King by honoring your neighborhood. Get involved and do what you can to make it a better place.