Day of Service offers chances for change

If you are feeling anxious to do something to celebrate the new president but can’t get to the inauguration, there’s another way you can take note of the history-making occasion.

Most people know Jan. 19 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day — a national holiday, a day off for some. This year it’s the day before the inauguration of Barack Obama as U.S. president.

In 1994, Congress designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the King Day of Service. The idea is to build on his legacy by transforming the federal holiday into a national day of community service grounded in his teachings of nonviolence and social justice. The aim was to make the holiday a day “on,” where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to improve lives, bridge social barriers and move our nation closer to the “Beloved Community” that King envisioned.

According to those involved in the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the president-elect and vice president-elect will launch a national organizing effort on the eve of the inauguration to engage Americans in service not just for one day, but for the year.

“While government has an important role to play in helping rekindle our economy and addressing the problems of a distressed nation, President-elect Obama believes each of us, as Americans, have a responsibility to do what we can for our communities and fellow citizens. We are one nation,” report the members of the committee.

On Friday, in a press conference along with Gen. Colin Powell, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Obama’s “Renew America Together” initiative, asking citizens to make an ongoing commitment to service in their communities.

“This call to service is not just for this date [Jan. 19], but a call to service for everyone to continue their service to their communities for the long term,” said committee spokesperson Melanie Roussell. “This is a focal point for a president who as a young man and throughout his career has been dedicated to community service.”

In Charlottesville, there are at least five events taking place. Octavia Williams, the regional coordinator for the National Day of Service, said at least three more events will be added to the Web site this weekend.

There is a Restocking Drive in which you can donate money or items like nonperishable food to help nonprofits that depleted their stocks during the holidays. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Downtown Mall, at the former Obama office. Other items needed include sheets and pillowcases, towels, blankets, new baby clothes, hats, gloves, school and office supplies.

If you prefer something where you can get your hands dirty, so to speak, there will be a Community Center Clean-Up at the Westhaven Community Center. Organizers ask that you bring cleaning supplies, paintbrushes and trays and wear work clothes. This activity is from noon to 3 p.m. at Westhaven Community Center on Hardy Drive.

Another project is the MLK Day Senior Service Project at Mary Williams Community Center on Market Street. The Jefferson District Area Agency on Aging hosts the event, and middle-school children from Friendship Court will serve lunch to the seniors and participate in educational activities together. The activity is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you are not quite sure what you want to do, there will be a volunteer sign-up sheet at the Obama office on the Downtown Mall. The Change is Coming folks will take the name of anyone who wants to volunteer in the year for projects in community service, the arts, schools, and other non-profits. Visit after 9 a.m.

If you are itching to get an early start, head to C’ville Coffee on Friday Jan. 16 for a Change’s Coming Benefit Concert. The kick-off benefit jazz concert will feature local jazz band Greenwich Swing Time. The event is from 5 to 10 p.m. and adults pay $5, while children younger than 12 bring a can of food. The food drive also will help restock the food supplies in the Blue Ridge Area Food Banks. Look up other events around the state by going to the Web site, http://www.pic2009.org/page/event/search_simple. Just type in the ZIP code.

to find the happenings closest to you.

If you have additional questions, call 977-8088.