WASHINGTON – In celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., many events are happening this weekend.
One Saturday morning event took place at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in West Potomac Park in Southeast, D.C. where almost 150 volunteers honored Dr. King through their service.
“We’re going to beautify the site. We’re going to pick up leaves, we’re going to weed the garden,” says Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. “And make sure it represents Dr. King and everything we’re proud of about his contributions to the country.”
The cabinet member volunteered and worked the area around the MLK Memorial on Saturday. And she challenged her colleagues to roll up their sleeves as well. “I welcome all my cabinet colleagues from the cabinet to come out and join us,” she says.
Although it was frigid out and the volunteers were cold at the event, their work was apparently heartwarming.
Paul Chambers, a junior at Howard University studying political science, says, “Being here feels amazing. Definitely a great opportunity to honor Martin Luther King Jr.”
Reymeir Magee, a freshman from Howard says, “It’s a really nice feeling to help out. Doing a day of service is nice. It’s a very pleasing feeling.”
“It definitely is heartwarming to see so many people committed to honoring, not just Dr. King but the generations of people that worked for the dream,” says Brandon Andrews with IMPACT, a nonprofit that empowers young professionals through civic engagement and through expanding their knowledge of the political and legislative process.
IMPACT hosted the day of service. Andrews says today was about “honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. though service.” He says he’s very happy with the turn out on a cold day and on a Saturday morning adding, “that really speaks to how important the work is that so many people showed up today.”
