Volunteers Honor Dr. King through Service

Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital led more than 150 volunteers in painting projects throughout the Ferebee-Hope Community School Complex on January 18 to mark the 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Local residents joined dozens of volunteer groups in making the holiday a day ON, not a day OFF by serving in honor of the slain civil rights leader’s legacy of service.

“The holiday is a time to remember and act on Dr. King’s commitment to making our nation better,” said Tobeka G. Green, the Chief Executive Officer of Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital. “There is no better or more meaningful way to honor his legacy than by serving others.”

Ferebee-Hope Community School Complex hosted the service project and benefitted from the painting. From dingy hallways, to bare white walls, the school was treated to a facelift of color including murals depicting scenes from popular children’s literature. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day efforts contributed to the beautification of the school that has taken place in recent months. After painting, volunteers gathered for lunch in the cafeteria before moving to the auditorium for a spirited assembly. They were treated to a speech by Susie Kay, founder of the nonprofit group Hoop Dreams, and to a student chorus singing selections remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. Following the program, volunteers and staff enjoyed a student art exhibit.

“The King Day of Service is a great way to involve more people in the ongoing work here at Ferebee-Hope and throughout the District of Columbia,” suggested Tobeka G. Green, “The needs in Ward 8 are particularly great right now, and contributions from parents, residents, and the Greater Washington community are key to the solution.”

The Washington Post article covering this event can be accessed through this link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/18/AR2010011802597.html