“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This holiday weekend marks a national trifecta as we celebrate MLK Day, the National Day of Service, and the Presidential Inauguration. To commemorate these events, President Obama is calling all Americans to participate in a day of service this weekend and volunteer in their communities in order to aid in national recovery and renewal. “America’s never been about what can be done for us,” President Obama has said. “It’s about what can be done by us together” (whitehouse.gov). By committing ourselves to service, citizens, nonprofits, the private sector, and government can work together to meet critical needs and advance King’s dream of opportunity for all. This weekend, Americans across the country will honor Dr. King by helping their communities at thousands of projects spanning all fifty states. Public interest in volunteering and civic participation continues to grow, so for those who have yet to make a habit of service, this weekend is a perfect time to start.
To find opportunities for service near you or to find a toolkit to plan your own service project, check out MLK Day and United We Serve.