Martin Luther King Day – “What are you doing for others?"

Martin Luther King Day is not only a chance to honor a great American, but to realize his dream of serving others. Did you know that when he was a boy, King wanted to be a fireman? We all have childhood dreams about different occupations which, for one reason or another, fall by the wayside before we become adults. But we have a chance to revisit some of those childhood aspirations by volunteering on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service!

King “had a dream”—many, in fact. One dream was that we could live in a community where hunger, homelessness, and poverty didn't exist, because we all helped each other out. Why not pursue one of your childhood dreams while serving others?

• Did you always want to be a veterinarian? Or maybe a lion tamer? Your love for animals would be greatly appreciated at the local animal shelter.
• Never got around to going to med school? Volunteer at local hospitals, health clinics, or the Red Cross.
• Think you would you have made a great teacher? Find out by helping at your local schools or libraries.
• Is the world suffering because you were never a chef? Offer to work at a local soup kitchen, or teach a class on healthy cooking at a community center.

As you can see, occupations from newscaster to farmer could easily be “tried out” by volunteering. Websites like Volunteer Match can help you narrow down volunteer opportunities by interest as well as location. There are even some activities that can be done virtually, like writing jingles for organizations.

This MLK Day of Service, do what you can to make your old dreams, as well as those of others, come true.