Idaho AmeriCorps members will give the American Legion building in Caldwell a fresh coat of paint this weekend as part of the official kick-off of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events statewide.
The AmeriCorps members join thousands of Americans across the country in marking the holiday as "A Day On, Not a Day Off!"
Senior citizens, veterans and children of military families will benefit from AmeriCorps projects organized throughout Idaho to meet various community needs. Projects include:
• Reach Out and Read, Jan. 15, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise
• Cultural Awareness Event, Jan. 16, Whitney Community Center in Boise
• Facilities painting at the American Legion, Jan. 14, in Caldwell
• Blanket drive, through Jan. 16, in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley
• Kids Day about the hazards of bullying, Jan. 16,the REACH Club in Elk City
• Fill the Bus food drive, through Jan. 16, in Bonners Ferry
• Peace Pole Planting, Jan. 16, in Pocatello
• Creating holiday crafts with senior citizens, Jan. 13, Good Samaritan Village in Moscow
• Diversity Awareness Art Auction, Jan. 11-16, Flying M Coffee Garage in Nampa
“Now more than ever, we need to take heed of Dr. King’s teachings and work together to achieve his dream,” Serve Idaho Interim Administrator Gordon Graff said. “Volunteer service is a powerful way to strengthen economic opportunity. And when better to start than on the day we honor Dr. King.”
The Corporation for National and Community Service leads the annual Day of Service, working with the King Center in Atlanta and thousands of nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations and schools and businesses nationwide. Projects will take place in all 50 states including weatherizing homes, beautifying schools, serving meals and supporting veterans and military families. Many organizations use the day as a springboard for year-round service such as signing up mentors and tutors for at-risk youth.
Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, is a division of the Idaho Department of Labor, which funds it along with the Corporation for National and Community Service and other partners. It administers Idaho’s AmeriCorps grants program, hosts an annual conference on service and volunteerism, provides technical assistance in volunteer management during disasters and celebrates the contributions of Idaho volunteers through the annual Governor’s Brightest Stars awards.