Americans to Mark Weekend of Service, Unite to Address Local Challenges

MLK Day of Service Projects in all 50 states coincide with 57th Presidential Inaugural and National Day of Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thousands of organizations across the country are preparing to lead Americans in the nation's largest day of service, the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that leads MLK Day of Service, said Americans will come together in all 50 states to deliver meals, refurbish schools and community centers, collect food and clothing, sign up mentors, promote nonviolence, support veterans and military families, and much more.

The 2013 commemoration of the King Holiday coincides with the 57th Presidential Inauguration, which will include a National Day of Service, continuing a tradition set four years ago when President-elect Obama and his family joined in the MLK National Day of Service the day before the official swearing in.

The National Day of Service on January 19 will include a service festival on the National Mall and additional volunteer opportunities in Washington, D.C. and across the country.

"Service is a core American value in both good times and moments of great challenge," said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. "As we stand on the precipice of a new chapter for America, we will witness citizenship and service in action in communities across our great nation. I am convinced that, as Americans work alongside each other, the spirit of unity will inspire many of them to continue to volunteer throughout the year."

CNCS is urging Americans to visit Serve.gov/MLKday to find volunteer opportunities in their community and make MLK Day a "day on, not a day off."

In 1994, Congress passed legislation encouraging the King Federal Holiday to be observed as a national day of service and charged CNCS with leading this national effort.  

Six organizations received MLK Day of Service grants – Campus Compact, Cesar Chavez Foundation, HOPE worldwide, Points of Light, Service for Peace, and Youth Service America.  These organizations will lead service activities on the day, supporting hundreds of projects nationwide.

More information, including details about local service opportunities, is available at serve.gov/mlkday.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than four million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and other programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

SOURCE Corporation for National and Community Service