MLK Day of Service

On Monday, the Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network will bring the nation together in service, dialogue and reflection during the MLK Day Virtual Town Hall to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King. For those of you who have made it a “Day On” already and have found a service project in your community, thanks for your service. For those of you who are stuck in front of your computers on Monday, don't worry, you can tune in and join the interactive dialogue here.

• 8:00 a.m. Welcome Remarks by Congressman John Lewis and Michelle Nunn
• 8:30 a.m. Hands On Atlanta, Annual King Summit Freedom Rally
• 10:00 a.m. Greater DC Cares, Powell Elementary School in Washington, D.C.
• 11:00 a.m. Youth HandsOn at PS 57 James W. Johnson School in Harlem 
• 12:00 p.m. Hands On Sacramento at Quinn Cottages
• 1:00 p.m.  HandsOn Greater Phoenix at South Mountain Park
• 2:00 p.m.  Special Live Announcement
• 3:00 p.m. United Way of Greater St. Louis at St. John United Church
• 4:00 p.m. Closing and Call to Service in 2010

Also, there are opportunities for social citizens of all backgrounds to get engaged. If you're a web professional, developer, graphic designer or new media professional who is willing to volunteer your skills for the common good, consider taking the MLK Day Technology Challenge. The purpose is simple: to connect schools and non-profits that have technology needs, including skills training and mentorship, with the skilled volunteers who can help meet those needs.

For more information about MLK Day of Service opportunities near you, visit serve.gov. Whether you choose to "make it a day on," or "a day online" let us know how you plan to honor Dr. King's legacy.

For the past week or so, my colleagues and I have been feverishly working to unveil a new online civic engagement campaign, "Change Begins With Me." One lucky person (and their guest) will have an opportunity to participate in the 44th Presidential Inauguration and MLK Day of Service related festivities in Washington, DC.  The concept is simple, no idea is too big or too small - just tell us how you commit to "change" your community, neighborhood, or nation...and you'll have a chance to win the trip.

But, last night as the site went live and we all went home to take a deep breath - something funny happened. We started exchanging emails and asking each other - "what would you commit to change?" And it became obvious that if we had an opportunity to participate and post our commitment for the world to see - it would be difficult to narrow down what it was that we wanted to change, especially in the 250 character limited space.  Read more »