MLK, Jr. Weekend of Service

Pete McDonald, Hands On Rome/Floyd County Board Chair,
Helps Clear Debris from Historic Old Eastview Cemetery in Rome

Across the state, Georgians celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. doing what Dr. King dedicated his life to – serving others.  From Dalton to Savannah, Hands On Georgia affiliates joined with other community organizations for “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” 

In the area of environmental stewardship, communities cleared cemeteries with historic ties to African-Americans.  In Rome, the clean up of Old East View Cemetery had a total of 79 volunteers. The volunteer groups included Georgia Power Company, Georgia Power Retirees, Berry College Bonner students, 100 Black Men of Rome student mentees and advisors; City of Rome Historic Preservation Department and Hands On Rome-Floyd volunteers. 

Many affiliates helped with landscaping and beautifying schools, community centers, homes and roadways.  In Athens, volunteers cleared debris from one of the exit ramp interchanges on the MLK Parkway.  In Savannah, members of Youth for a Cleaner Environment joined the City of Tybee Island in planting a garden in Dr. King’s honor at Memorial Park.  In Forsyth County, high school volunteers, under the direction of Keep Forsyth Beautiful, removed years of debris from the home of an 84-year old homebound widow.

Several communities addressed the issue of poverty, an issue Dr. King was beginning to focus on before his death.  In Thomas County and in Statesboro, volunteers participated in the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes.  In Columbus, Servant leadership students from Columbus State University produced a video that included interviews with three people directly dealing with the issue.   Community members held two discussions on homelessness, how it affects their community and ways they can help serve this population after viewing the student’s video and the motion picture, The Pursuit of Happyness starring Oscar nominated actor Will Smith and his son Jaden. 

In Wayne County a partnership with Tabitha’s Place, a food pantry and soup kitchen had volunteers feeding more than 50 families, two-thirds of which were children.  The project didn’t end with the one meal.  Having collected hundreds of cans of soup at a local supermarket, families in need were sent home with soup and other food items.

A common theme was inter-generational projects.  Hands On Macon continued an MLK project they started last year.  Mary Persons High School students conducted interviews with residents of a senior living facility who provided reflections on the civil rights movement in Macon.  In Harlem, a similar program was developed that included high school seniors volunteering at the Euchee Creek Senior Center where they enjoyed reading novels and creating craft projects.  The students also added an oral history component where they transcribed the resident’s stories of civil rights activities. 

Many volunteers served the youngest and most vulnerable in their communities.  In Dalton, where many businesses were open, day care was a major concern.  Hands On Northwest Georgia provided the parents and children with “Dream” Day Camp.  More than 100 volunteers from Dalton High School, Dalton State College and the Dalton Community Recreation Center manned art, history and music stations throughout Blue Ridge elementary school.

Hands On Atlanta hosted the state’s, if not the nation’s largest celebration with an eight-day summit where more than 10,500 were in attendance at more than 150 projects and events.  Two highlights of the city’s celebration included the tribute to Coretta Scott King, Dr. King’s widow who died last year, and the Freedom Rally, featuring legendary hip hop performers and a special conversation with the Honorable Andrew Young, Hands On Georgia’s honorary co-chair.

In Milledgeville, volunteers demonstrated that it only takes a moment to serve.  For one of their projects 50 volunteers were asked to give one to five minutes to prepare disaster comfort kits for the American Red Cross.  Though the service time was minimal, the message had an impact - Everyone is Great Because Everyone Can Serve.

For more information on how you and fellow Georgians can positively impact your community, e-mail or call us at info@handsongeorgia.org or 404-979-2888.

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