Red Cross Day of Service Projects Help Strengthen Communities

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. encouraged everyone to serve—a call echoed by President Barack Obama. Red Cross volunteers will answer that call this weekend

WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, January 18 2013 – American Red Cross volunteers across the nation will be working to strengthen the communities in which they live during the upcoming the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and the National Day of Service that kicks off of the 57th Presidential Inauguration. Some volunteers will be giving CPR demonstrations or recruiting blood donors. Others will be giving their neighbors tips on how to prevent home fires and how to escape safely should a fire occur.

“The confluence of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend and the kick off of the Presidential Inauguration with a National Day of Service provides a unique opportunity for volunteer service,” said Jim Starr, vice president, Volunteer Management. “Throughout the weekend, Red Cross volunteers will be engaged in a variety of service activities. Many will be visiting their neighbors to talk about fire safety. Since almost 60 percent of home and apartment fires are caused by cooking or heating, these are disasters that can usually be prevented once people understand how to protect their families.”

Volunteers will be canvassing neighborhoods in more than 50 cities across the United States. They will talk to people who are at home, and will leave fire safety door hangers on the doors of people who are not there. The initiative takes place in the dead of winter, the time of the year when the most home fires occur.

This is the sixth year the American Red Cross and partner HOPE worldwide have joined forces to celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday with a fire safety project. HOPE worldwide volunteers have also supported the Red Cross during disasters, and most recently activated more than 1,300 responders in New York and New Jersey to distribute food and water and train community volunteers during Superstorm Sandy.

Mayor Gray Encourages Residents to Mark Martin Luther King Holiday & Presidential Inauguration by Serving Others

Library of Congress. New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection

WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Serve DC – The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism are calling on District residents to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy and the Inauguration of President Barack Obama by volunteering in the District Saturday, January 19 through Monday, January 21.

The Mayor encouraged residents to become involved in activities that benefit their community by participating in events associated with the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

“The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service not only honors the legacy of this civil-rights hero, but also dovetails with my agenda for the District of Columbia, ” said Mayor Gray. “And, with the inauguration of President Obama coinciding with MLK Day, this year is an especially meaningful opportunity for District residents from all walks of life and our visitors from across the country to join together in the spirit of service and unity that exemplified Dr. King’s dream.”

This year, more than 15,000 volunteers are expected to participate in MLK Day of Service activities at approximately 34 project sites in every ward of the District. Service projects include refurbishing schools and community centers, food and clothing drives, environmental restoration projects and more.

“The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service shines a spotlight on the power of service and volunteerism to bridge economic and social divides and transform communities,” said Serve DC Executive Director Jeffrey Richardson. “Whether here in the District or elsewhere across the nation, it is an opportunity to see first-hand how service can make a real difference in people’s lives.”

In addition to service project sites across the city, the District will host two national signature service events on Saturday, January 19:

Unite America in Service: In partnership with Points of Light and Target, Operation Gratitude, the Corporation for National and Community Service, Community Blueprint, HandsOn Greater DC Cares, Volunteer Fairfax and the George Washington University, Serve DC will convene 10,000 volunteers at the D.C. Armory to pack 100,000 care packages for United States servicemembers, wounded warriors, veterans and first responders. The event runs from 9:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with volunteer shifts of 2½  hours each. Large groups and volunteers ages 12 to 17 years with parents or legal guardians are welcome to join. Learn more and register at  http://bit.ly/uniteamericainservice.

National Day of Service Fair on the National Mall: Presented by the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee, the National Day of Service Fair will feature service organizations from across the country, including opportunities to get involved right away, and special programming throughout the day. Doors open at 9:30 am, with events and programs happening throughout the day at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm Learn more or register at http://bit.ly/natldayofservicefair.

Residents can learn more about District-based service projects and register for volunteer opportunities on the Serve DC website, www.serve.dc.gov. Follow MLK Day-related events and activities on Twitter using the hashtag #MLKDay.

Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service. The MLK Day of Service is a part of “United We Serve,” the President's national call-to-service initiative, and Serve DC’s “Seasons of Service Days” portfolio, a diverse set of local, national and international service events designed to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers and create innovative solutions to social challenges.

Join President Obama in a National Day of Service

President Barack Obama helps paint pictures of fruit during a service project in the cafeteria of Stuart Hobson Middle School in Washington, D.C., January 17, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

On January 21, 2013, our nation will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (MLK Day), a national holiday during which we honor the legacy of the civil rights leader Dr. King through a day of service and volunteering. 

This year, MLK Day commemorations will coincide with the Presidential Inauguration, so the President is asking all citizens to join him in participating in a National Day of Serviceon Saturday, January 19. Earlier today, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that it will host a wide range of volunteering events in Washington, DC and around the country.  Additionally, the Committee is encouraging people to pledge a commitment to serve after MLK Day throughout 2013. 

President Obama has been deeply committed to engaging more Americans in service since taking office four years ago. He expanded AmeriCorps through measures such as signing the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in 2009 and creating the FEMA Corps program last year.  He launched the Serve.gov platform to make it easier for Americans to find and post local volunteer opportunities. 

Today, Americans are volunteering in increasing numbers and interest in national service and civic participation continues to grow. Building on this momentum, we encourage all Americans to serve on MLK Day and long after the Inauguration.  As President Obama has said, “America’s never been about what can be done for us; it’s about what can be done by us together.” 

For more information about Presidential Inaugural Committee’s National Day of Service, go to http://action.2013pic.org/service. To learn more about MLK Day, visit MLKDay.gov.