"A Day On, Not A Day Off"

The Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) AmeriCorps*VISTA Team will host the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service & Celebration on Monday, January 19, 2009. CEDO cordially invites community members to join us as we honor Dr. King with inspirational speakers, community projects at area non-profits and enjoy a free community dinner and celebration for all. Event organizers are also seeking service project sites and businesses to sponsor the evening’s community meal by providing cash or in-kind donations. This is a growing tradition calling Martin Luther King Day to be a "day on, not a day off" for Burlington residents.

On Monday, January 19, the King federal holiday, family, friends, community members and fellow VISTAs will gather from 1pm until 7pm to honor the life and teachings of one of our country’s greatest civil rights activists, Dr. King. The day will open at City Hall’s Contois Auditorium, 149 Church Street, Burlington, where fellow community members will gear up for service with a pep rally, choose service projects and spend the afternoon helping at various non-profits and schools. Participation in these service activities help celebrate and commemorate the life of service led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All ages and abilities are welcome; spend a few hours or the whole day! Participants should contact A*VISTA Annie Reinhart for more information at 701-430-9430 or areinhart@ci.burlington.vt.us.

Earlier this month, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden and their families will participate in service on the King Holiday in the Washington, D.C. area. We also anticipate that the President-elect will urge Americans to serve on the King Holiday. This involvement from President-elect Obama, which continues a tradition started by former President Clinton and continued by President Bush, will add significant momentum to what was already shaping up to be the largest King Day ever. We urge Vermonters to spend the day in service and community in honor of a man who spent his whole life serving others.

“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” Martin Luther King Jr.

The schedule for Monday, January 19 is:

1:00 pm Sign Ups for Community Service Projects, please wear suitable work attire, Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall 1:30 – 4:30 pm Community Service Projects , at sites around Burlington and neighboring communities Good News Garage - LSS is one of the site locations! 5:00 pm Keynote Speaker- Oliver Barkley, local activist and comedian, Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall 6:00–7:00 pm Free Community Dinner and Celebration, with Urban Flava Step Team and Very Merry Theatre, Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall A list of community service projects will be finalized and distributed shortly. Sign-ups for projects will take place in the Contois Auditorium at 1:00 pm.

The service project will be one of hundreds of activities held in states and cities nationwide to honor the legacy of Dr. King. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, directing the King Center and the Corporation for National and Community Service to carry out a day of service reflecting Dr. King's life and teachings. Please join this commemoration of Dr. King’s Life and Legacy in Burlington.