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Communities
Gearing Up for Massive
Day of Service on King Holiday
President-elect Obama's Call Boosts Momentum
Communities and nonprofits across the country are gearing up
for a record number of volunteers on the Martin Luther King
Jr. Federal holiday, fueled by President-elect Obama’s call
for Americans to serve on King Day and throughout the year.
Organizers of the annual service day say momentum is
building in the wake of the President-elect’s call and the
timing of the holiday coming one day before the
Inauguration. In addition to asking Americans to serve,
President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden, and their
families will participate in service on the January 19
holiday in the Washington D.C. area.
“In this time of economic distress, Americans need to
realize Dr. King’s dream of a better America. Service is a
solution to some of our toughest challenges, and service is
needed now more than ever,” said Nicola Goren, Acting CEO of
the Corporation for National and Community Service. “As
Americans make their New Year’s resolutions, we hope
volunteering will be at the top of the list, starting on the
King Holiday and lasting throughout out the year.” >
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AmeriCorps Helps Texans
Recover from Hurricane Ike
The Hurricane Ike recovery efforts are proving to be a
training ground for a young generation of Americans
interested in giving something back to their country. Teams
of AmeriCorps' National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC),
ages 18 to 24, began arriving in the Gulf Coast area during
the first week of October, not long after the Sept. 13
presidential disaster declaration. The teams, of typically
10–12 members, arrived by van from any one of the four
NCCC's regional bases, where they receive their initial
training.
Assigned to work with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA), members were trained to assist with damage
assessments, conduct housing needs' interviews, and help
identify solutions for those displaced by the storm. They
were assigned duties in the FEMA/State Joint Field Office in
Austin, and in the disaster recovery centers located
throughout the affected counties.
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