POINTS OF LIGHT FOUNDATION SPEARHEADS NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY

A Day ON! Not a Day Off

WASHINGTON, DC (January 14, 2005) - On January 17, thousands of volunteers across the country will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. not by simply staying home from work or school, but by making it “A Day ON! Not A Day OFF.”

Mobilizing volunteers through diverse partnerships is part of a national effort to celebrate Dr. King's vision through community service. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act to commemorate his life and accomplishments.

“Dr. Martin Luther King's messages of service, activism, diversity, and nonviolence are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago,” said Robert K. Goodwin, president and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation. “The King holiday of service is a gratifying opportunity and wonderful way to give back.”

The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network in conjunction with the Corporation for National and Community Service and Service For Peace, spearheads national efforts to remember Dr. King by participating in volunteer service projects. Through coordinated efforts of support and resource sharing, more than 11,000 volunteers will assemble across the nation with over 500 partner schools, businesses, community organizations and places of worship to conduct more than 200 national service projects.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day provides a meaningful way for Americans to celebrate Dr. King's life by giving all participants the opportunity to reach out to each other and join together to make this country stronger and better. Please visit Seasons of Service calendar for information on local and national MLK service projects at http://www.PointsofLight.org/programs/seasons/

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The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network supports the vital work of millions of volunteers, who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities nationwide. For more information about local volunteer activities, call 1-800-Volunteer, or visit www.1800Volunteer.org.