National Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
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"I have a dream...
I have a dream that one day little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today."
To keep his dream alive, each year on the third Monday of January, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through engaging in public service and promoting nonviolent social change. The recurring theme for the recognition of the observance of the National Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday is "Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On... Not A Day Off!"
Our nation has seen tremendous progress in the fight against bigotry and hatred that Dr. King opposed with love, compassion, and understanding. As evidence of that progress, in a few weeks we will celebrate the first year anniversary of the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. However, there is still much work to be done in order for the dream of Dr. King to become a reality. President Obama has said that the challenges America faces are unprecedented, and that we need to build a new foundation for economic growth in America. 'Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing in your communities as what we're doing in Washington - and it's going to take all of us, working together.'
We can make a difference and help make the dream of Dr. King a reality and in the process renew our communities and country in this time of homelessness, economic uncertainty, and high unemployment. Let this Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday truly be a day on and not a day off by volunteering our services to make a difference in our communities.
We encourage you to visit www.serve.gov to find out about local volunteer opportunities in your area. For further information, you can also visit the Corporation for National and Community Service at www.nationalservice.gov.
Anna