Service Learning - Celebrate MLK Day By Serving Your Community!

Readers,

I realize that a majority of you have not started classes yet, but today is MLK Day! Celebrate MLK day by visiting the following websites to learn about the creat service opportunities that are available around your area on this day!

Here's a letter from Mr. Marco Davis, Director of Public Engagement for the Corporation for National and Community Service:

*Thanks National Service Press Office!

Dear Service Leaders,

Thanks to so many of you, the momentum of the 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is building, and results will be extraordinary!

Across the nation, thousands of organizations will honor Dr. King and mark the 25th anniversary of his holiday by bringing Americans together in service to meet community needs.

As we go into the final stretch, we want to remind you of a few key things that will help ensure that the 2011 MLK Day is a great success.

Let Us Know Your Results:

• Tell us about your MLK Day project and how you made a difference using our Share Your Story tool (http://mlkday.gov/share/index.php).  Be sure to include not only the number of volunteers but also any facts or statistics about your project's impact (e.g. number of meals delivered, schools beautified, food packages assembled, homes weatherized, etc).  Include any involvement of elected officials, including service participation or proclamations issued. Your answers will help us highlight the many powerful ways Americans are honoring Dr. King through service.

Use Social Media:

• Like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MLKDay

• Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mlkday and include the #MLKDay hashtag in your tweets

• Share your project photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlkday/

Resources for You:

Our MLKDay.gov website has many helpful resources to make sure your project goes off without a hitch including tips on final preparations, an event checklist, talking points, media tips and more.

We are about to unveil an extremely moving new MLK 25th anniversary video featuring Rep. John Lewis, Rev. Joseph Lowery, former Senator Harris Wofford and other civil rights and service leaders reflecting on Dr. King's legacy of service.  This video is perfect to show at your MLK Day of Service event. Look for it soon on MLKDay.gov, and use it to inspire your volunteers. 

To mark the 25th anniversary of the holiday, and to continue the momentum for the MLK Day of Service throughout the year, we are launching the MLK 25 Challenge: What Are you Doing for Others?  This initiative calls on Americans to honor Dr. King by pledging to take at least 25 actions during 2011 to make a difference for others and strengthen our communities.  Stay tuned for more details on MLKDay.gov.

Thanks again for all your hard work, and best of luck with all your planned activities.  We can’t wait to see the impact of your efforts.

In service,

Marco A. Davis

Director of Public Engagement

Corporation for National and Community Service

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.