In the words of Coretta Scott King, “Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not only for celebration and remembrance, education and tribute, but above all a day of service … it is a day
of volunteering to feed the hungry, rehabilitate housing, tutor those who can’t read, mentor at-risk youngsters, console the broken-hearted and a thousand other projects for
building the beloved community of his dream.”
In the wake of this week’s tragic earthquake in Haiti, I can almost hear Dr. King’s voice asking us to serve this Monday on the day that we remember this great man’s life. On the news, we have been looking at images of the incredible destruction and sadness, from families who have lost their homes, to families and friends who have lost their loved ones. For this magnitude of devastation to hit Haiti, already the fourth poorest country in the world and the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, it is incomprehensible.
Monday, we celebrate the life and legacy of a man who taught us not to fear the incomprehensible in life, but to realize our power to make a difference. We know what Dr. King would tell us. He would tell us that all of us can do something to help. That each of us must reach out to those in need. He would help us realize our incredible power in the face of life’s most uncontrollable moments. That power is the gift of service.
It should not take a tragedy of this week’s earthquake in Haiti to wake us all up from our own personal day to day challenges, to look beyond ourselves, and be moved to ask “how we can help.”
It has always been my dream that we would help children to realize we all have this power through service to make the world stronger and to lessen another’s suffering in a time of need. I think Dr. King’s dream was a world where all children grew up knowing how to extend a hand and feeling responsible to do so.
Each year, Children for Children, an organization near and dear to my heart, celebrates the life of Dr. King by providing opportunities for young people to volunteer and discover their power and potential to make a real difference in the world. With over 4,000 young people volunteering at large service events in New York City, to small groups of children gathering around the country, young people are realizing their ability to contribute to the greater good in all sorts of ways. From packing toiletry care kits for shelters, to holding read-a-thons to fundraise for Red Cross relief efforts, kids are showing that you are never too small to make a big difference.
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In the wake of this week’s tragic earthquake in Haiti, I can almost hear Dr. King’s voice asking us to serve this Monday on the day that we remember this great man’s life. On the news, we have been looking at images of the incredible destruction and sadness, from families who have lost their homes, to families and friends who have lost their loved ones. For this magnitude of devastation to hit Haiti, already the fourth poorest country in the world and the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, it is incomprehensible.
Monday, we celebrate the life and legacy of a man who taught us not to fear the incomprehensible in life, but to realize our power to make a difference. We know what Dr. King would tell us. He would tell us that all of us can do something to help. That each of us must reach out to those in need. He would help us realize our incredible power in the face of life’s most uncontrollable moments. That power is the gift of service.
It should not take a tragedy of this week’s earthquake in Haiti to wake us all up from our own personal day to day challenges, to look beyond ourselves, and be moved to ask “how we can help.”
It has always been my dream that we would help children to realize we all have this power through service to make the world stronger and to lessen another’s suffering in a time of need. I think Dr. King’s dream was a world where all children grew up knowing how to extend a hand and feeling responsible to do so.
Each year, Children for Children, an organization near and dear to my heart, celebrates the life of Dr. King by providing opportunities for young people to volunteer and discover their power and potential to make a real difference in the world. With over 4,000 young people volunteering at large service events in New York City, to small groups of children gathering around the country, young people are realizing their ability to contribute to the greater good in all sorts of ways. From packing toiletry care kits for shelters, to holding read-a-thons to fundraise for Red Cross relief efforts, kids are showing that you are never too small to make a big difference.
Read Full Article Here...