Communities and non-profits across the country are gearing up for what will undoubtedly be a record number of volunteers on this upcoming Martin Luther King Jr holiday, declared by Obama to be a National Day Of Service.I'll be doing my part when I coach my kids Sunday afternoon, and feeding the homeless (which we already do every 3rd Monday) with a group of friends from church the next day. If you're clueless about how to spend your day of service, peep some of the suggestions above. Tell em' Michelle-O.
The Obama inaugural committee has launched a new website, contest and all, Michelle Obama has reached out via email and video, and Colin Powell took the stage to announce his call to action.
* Public service ads that feature Dr. King's voice and Isaac Newton Farris, Jr., CEO and President of the King Center, have been distributed to more than 4,000 radio stations. The National Association of Broadcasters is sponsoring a "radio roadblock" when stations are encouraged to air the spot on January 15, Dr. King's birthday.
* The Corporation has launched a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Fan page on Facebook and is working with Facebook and Facebook Causes to encourage users of the highly popular social networking site to volunteer or organize their own service projects to mark the King Holiday and Inauguration weekend.
* The King Day of Service website at http://www.mlkday.gov has a wealth of tools for planning and promoting projects, including new "do it yourself" action guides.
* The Corporation has enlisted entertainment, business, nonprofit, and sports leaders to serve as Ambassadors of Service including Jordin Sparks, Tony Dungy, and Michael W. Smith.
* ServiceNation, a coalition of more than 120 organizations campaigning to make service core ideal in our democracy, will host a service project to beautify a Washington D.C. elementary school.
Perhaps what I like most about Obama is that he's the living embodiment of The AverageBro Challenge™. His life has been dedicated to such causes, as anyone who's read his bio would know. Bringing this "the gubb'ment can't do it all, you need to chip in too" sensibility to the Oval Office is something that doesn't get the attention it should. Asking for more hands on deck is the definition of change. It comes via our efforts, not some dudes on Capitol Hill.
It's amazing that the GOP, which went overboard with that "socialism" crap last year didn't note the irony that the message of "self-sufficiency" and "less gubb'ment" that they so espouse was actually being advocated by their opponent. Then again, maybe they only mean "big gubb'ment" when it comes to personal freedoms like packin' heat and telling a woman what to do with her uterus, not selfless actions that make society as a whole better. But what's new?
I suspect that in the future, Obama will make such National Days of Service a regular thing. His (stated) plan to give $4,000 tax credits to college students who are actively involved in service organizations is indicative of this ethos.
And that's alright by me.
Question: Are you planning on doing anything for the National Day Of Service?
Getting Ready For Obama's Big Day...Of Service [HuffPost]
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Man, we're having a lock-in with our youth group that I help mentor this Sunday, then marching in the MLK parade on Monday. Should be a good weekend, nice post AB, keep doing your thing folk.
-Ed.
www.edthesportsfan.com
We're doing an adopt a old friend at some of the local retirement homes. It wasn't until I went into one for work that I realized how few visitors some of these people have. It's a day out of our time but means a world of difference to them. Good looking on this one AB
"Planting a Row for the Hungry" in Loudoun Co, VA.
This year as part of O's service plan there's a group that's sponsoring "Plant a Row for the Hungry". If you have a veggie/fruit garden you plant extra to donate to the Interfaith Relief food bank.
Last year my husband and I donated pounds and pounds of squash and cukes. This year I'm participating with the group. They're having a guest speaker and
general info at Purcellville, VA public library 2-4p this Saturday.
There are a ton of us out here in the rural western part of Loudoun that grow our own and share. It's pretty cool living off the land (well, at least for a few months of the year).
+1, this is a good thing regardless of who suggests it.
Of course, some people have already abused this and had to be removed from the list of "events" because they were promoting divisive crap or just using it as an excuse to get business. Assholes.
I have my usual volunteer groups that I'll still support. I don't think I'm adding anything new though.
I'm not big on volunteering, but I do give money to non-profits.
That $4,000 tax credit will be getting the shelf for at least the first 4 years. He's not gonna be able to pull that off with all the issues we got going on.
@ Nicole
Yeah, like lots of stuff, the $4k credit is toast, but it was inventive thinking.
@ Spool
I didn't hear about that. What happened?
@ VLatte
Good Lawd, Purcellville!?! You really are out there.
@AB:
Some dipshit in Los Angeles was hosting a "Get together and throw shoes at a photo of Bush" party to promote his newly opening cafe, disguised as a "service event". They pulled his thing from the list after some people pointed it out.
Link here
Volunteering to work at a food drive and donating to it.
Also looking into a local event that deals with visiting the hospital
I'm slated for a clean-up/beautification project.
Yeah Yeaheee!!
I'll be AT WORK, and when I get off I'm sure I'll GO HOME and volunteer to help my son with his many projects. I mean, people in other states get the DAY OFF for MLK day....???? Lucky folks.
Smokie where you live Arizona?
Smokie where you live Arizona?
I am going to host a event for a couple of our neighbors foster children. We are starting an "Explore your World" type of thing. Two of the girls are great at science and the boy loves Palentology. So we are taking them to a museum and then out to eat somewhere downtown.
Houston, TX...
@Smokie
I'll be working too. And I live in VA, it's just not a holiday for my department in the company I work for. So I'll be here at work just like I am today.
I'm working Monday too. But some of the events are happening this weekend. And the spirit of volunteering is good year round.
So, if you get any free time, any time, maybe you can spare a little.
Btw...food banks are in diar need of volunteers and donations.
I'm a V-DOT "Adopt a Highway" volunteer year round. You'd be surprised how much litter ends up out in the boonies on the roads.
I have to work tomorrow and prepare for the inauguration. However, the work that I do requires service every single day (teenagers). (As a matter-of-fact, tomorrow was an unplanned day of work.)
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