WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, thousands of organizations across the country are preparing to lead Americans in the nation’s largest day of civic engagement, the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service.
With an emphasis on creating opportunity for all, citizens in all 50 states will deliver meals, refurbish schools and community centers, and collect food and clothing. Volunteers will also recruit mentors, support job-seekers, build homes and provide other services for veterans and military families, and help citizens improve their financial literacy skills.
“The MLK Day of Service reflects a fundamental American truth: That people who love their country can change it,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). “The commemoration of the MLK Day of Service is an opportunity to remember Dr. King’s legacy and re-commit ourselves as citizens by volunteering in service to one another.”
In 1994, Congress designated MLK Day as the first and only federal holiday observed as a national day of service, and charged CNCS with leading this effort. Americans may visit MLKDay.gov to find a service project for MLK Day or a year-round volunteer opportunity in their own community.
CNCS provides grants to three national organizations that play a leadership role in the MLK Day of Service: HOPE worldwide, Points of Light, and Service for Peace. In addition to these grantees, more than 30 other organizations, including AARP, American Red Cross, America’s Promise, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Habitat for Humanity and United Way of America, are strategic partners.
CNCS also joins with Meetup and other partners to encourage Americans to meetup in person to talk about the unique challenges and opportunities facing our nation.
Sample projects are highlighted below. More information, including details about local service opportunities, is available at mlkday.gov.
