January 18, 2010 is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2010. It’s not too late to start thinking about what you will do or how to get started to be of service.
Dr. King once said that “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” The day of service is a way to transform support for his teachings into proactive community service. Not only do you help make a difference but you get acquainted with others who have the same values.
Too often we assume that service, or community engagement, requires a lot of work. Other times we are not sure where to begin or what to do. Or we just imagine that we need an extraordinary amount of free time to help. Quite the contrary! We can all start right where we are.
Community engagement is quite simply taking action for a cause or principle and involves the process of moving people toward change. It goes beyond getting people together but it’s the actual mobilization of people, taking steps forward to support a common goal.
Individuals can volunteer in their neighborhoods by serving meals at a homeless shelter or tutor a child. Formal organizations can sponsor a specific service project or form teams to support an existing effort. Whatever it is that you decide, you can manage the hours and scope of support.
Interestingly enough, the national King Day of Service has a website with comprehensive tools and resources to cultivate the spirit of volunteerism. Last year, I found several projects in my neighborhood using the zip code-search feature at www.serve.gov.
As we go into 2010, will you roll up your sleeves and join me staying involved in serving others and keeping the legacy of Dr. King alive? I hope so.
For more information, please check out the website at www.mlkday.gov about how you can get involved.
