Monday, January 21, 2013 will mark the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. This milestone is a perfect opportunity for Americans to honor Dr. King's legacy through service. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a beloved community.

***PROJECTS***

Mayor's Office - FRUIT HARVESTING TO BENEFIT FOOD BANKS
Volunteers needed to harvest fresh fruit from residential trees. The fruit will be provided healthy and fresh produce to food bank clients.
WHEN: Monday, January 21, 9 a.m.- 11 a.m
WHERE: West Long Beach area
VOLUNTEERS: accommodates 10 volunteers (maximum). Due to limited capacity, you must call 562-570-6801 to sign up.
TO BRING: Closed-toe shoes, long-sleeved shirt, hat and sunscreen
CONTACT: For more information or to sign up call (562) 570-6801.

1st District - TREE WELL CLEAN-UP
Volunteers needed to help clean tree wells along 7th Street downtown. Tree Wells accumulate trash, debris and weeds; clean-up an adjacent alley if time.
WHEN: MLK Day, January 21, 2013, 9 am - 12 pm (hope to finish in 1-2 hours)
WHERE: 7th Street from Long Beach Blvd to Alamitos Avenue on both North & South, meet at the McDonald's on 7th Street and Long Beach Blvd at 9am sharp to begin shortly after.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 10-20
TO BRING: Refreshments and supplies provided. Please bring gloves and rakes if you can.
CONTACT: For more information call (562) 570-6919 or district1@longbeach.gov. Day of contact Isaac at 310 648-2692.

9th District - NATURE TRAIL CLEAN-UP
Volunteers needed to help clean and restore the DeForest Park Nature Trails in North Long Beach.
WHEN: MLK Day, January 21, 2013, 9 am - 12 pm
WHERE: Clean-Up along DeForest Park Nature Trails. Meet at DeForest Avenue and Osgood Street.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 100+
TO BRING: Water and snacks will be provided. We are asking volunteers to expect to get dirty and bring gloves if you can.
CONTACT: For more information call 562 570-6137 or district9@longbeach.gov. Day of contact Ricardo 562 857-7751.

***OTHER PROJECTS***

COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING
Volunteers needed to help plant trees and clean-up along the Wrigley Green Belt Park.
WHEN: MLK Day, January 21, 2013, 9 am - 12 pm
WHERE: Wrigley Green Belt along DeForest Avenue between Willow and 34th. Exact meeting location TBD, check back week of Jan. 14th for update.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 30-60
TO BRING: Supplies and refreshments will be provided. Please bring gloves and shovels if you can.
CONTACT: For more information email tiffany.chen@longbeach.gov. Day of contact Jeff at 310 562-6665.

***SATURDAY (1/19) PROJECT***

7th District - NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP
Monthly neighborhood clean-up in Cal Heights Neighborhood on Saturday, January 19
WHEN: January 19, 2013, 9:30 am - 1 pm
WHERE: Clean-Up along 36th Street between Lewis and California Ave. Meet at alley along 36th Street.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 20-30
TO BRING: Bags, gloves and refreshments will be provided.
CONTACT: For more information contact Cal Heights Neighborhood Association contact Stacey Morrison at 562 981-3257.


What is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service?
After a long struggle, legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service - a "day on, not a day off." The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King's vision of a "Beloved Community."

Why Serve on MLK Day of Service?
Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live, creating the Beloved Community.

The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions.