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The millions of Americans who continue to be inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. include several NBA players, who are encouraging their fellow citizens to honor King by serving their communities on the King Holiday.
“We are still benefitting from the many lessons taught by Dr. King,” said Rashad McCants of the Minnesota Timberwolves. “Dr. King’s strength was an inspiration to me and I hope people will volunteer their time as a way to give back to their communities,” said Paul Pierce, who plays with the Boston Celtics.
Volunteering in specific areas is especially important, according to Tyson Chandler of the New Orleans Hornets. “We can continue to restore New Orleans, while also honoring Dr. King, by volunteering on the Martin Luther King Day of Service and rebuilding the greater New Orleans area."
More than 5,000 service projects are planned in communities across the country for the national day of service on January 21. The efforts are expected to engage more than a half million Americans in all 50 states in a wide variety of projects ranging from signing up volunteers to tutor and mentor children, to painting schools and senior centers, to delivering meals and building homes. Forty years after the civil rights leader’s death, Americans are coming out in record numbers to build what Dr. King called “the Beloved Community.”
For more information on the players and on King Day activities, visit the following websites: http://www.rashadmccants1.com, http://www.paulpierce.net, http://www.tysonchandler.com, and http://www.mlkday.gov/.
In 1994, Congress passed legislation encouraging Americans to observe the King Holiday as a day of service that brings people together from different backgrounds to meet needs in their community. Participation has grown every year and 2008 promises to be a historic year.
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The mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Each year, the Corporation provides opportunities for more than 2 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America. For more information, go to http://www.nationalservice.gov.
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