President Obama Calls on Americans to Serve on MLK Day

President, First Lady to Serve Monday in Honor of Dr. King

Washington, DC—President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will join hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in a volunteer service project on the King Holiday, the White House announced.

In a proclamation marking the federal holiday, President Obama acknowledged that Dr. King's work “remains unfinished” and called on all Americans to serve on King Day and throughout the year. “Recognizing that our Nation has yet to reach Dr. King's promised land is not an admission of defeat, but a call to action. In these challenging times, too many Americans face limited opportunities, but our capacity to support each other remains limitless.” Click here to read the complete proclamation.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that has led the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service since 1994, anticipates strong turnout across the country, with more than 10,000 service projects planned in all 50 states that will address a multitude of pressing social issues from poverty to hunger and the dropout crisis.

Thousands of nonprofit, faith-based, educational, and national service groups have organized projects on the day, including weatherizing homes, beautifying schools, serving meals, and providing employment counseling. This year's effort has been boosted by the support of major U.S. companies and outreach efforts by high profile entertainers and elected officials serving as MLK Day of Service Ambassadors.

On Monday, volunteers and project leaders will be posting videos, blog messages, tweets, and photos in real-time throughout the day that capture volunteer activities in communities throughout the country. To track what is happening at service sites and find local volunteer opportunities, visit Serve.gov.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service:

In 1994, Congress passed legislation encouraging Americans to observe the King Holiday as a national day of service that brings together people from different backgrounds to meet needs in their community. The Corporation for National and Community Service was designated as the lead federal agency to execute the King Day of Service. The King Day of Service provides Americans the opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King through service to meet local and national needs. For more information, visit http://www.serve.gov/ or MLKDay.gov.

The Corporation for National and Community Service:

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service each year through its core programs, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information about the Corporation, visit NationalService.gov.