MLK Day

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1/15/29 – 4/4/68) was many things and worthy of honor.

He was an American pastor, activist, humanitarian, and civil rights leader.

Born Michael King - his father changed his name to honor Martin Luther.

He led nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs. And, if you would like to honor him, one way to do it is by volunteering. If you are interested, check out this site to find some place to serve in your community.

Martin Luther King Day

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by volunteering in your community.

This holiday celebration is meant to mark the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King is famous for speaking out against violence and calming people in a time of riotous rebellion. He became the spokesperson for nonviolent activism during a time filled with anger, riots and violence and helped bring peace in an aggressive time.

The call for a federal holiday in King's honor began after his assassination in 1968. It was Ronald Regan who signed the law making the celebration a holiday in 1983. It was first observed on January 20, 1986.

If you believe in his philosophy and want to have an impact, in MLK’s honor, try volunteering in your community. Here are a few options to volunteer in Portland:

• On Monday, Jan. 16, volunteers will converge on Earl Boyles Elementary School, 10822 S.E. Bush St., to clean, weed and remove plants in the courtyard. For more information, call 503-200-3355.

• The Clark Center, 1437 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., is looking for volunteers to help make a meal for residents on Monday, from 4:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at its 90-bed transitional housing shelter for men. For details, call 503-200-3355.

• On Monday, Jan. 16, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., volunteers will plant 160 trees along the I-205 Multi-Use Path near the Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center, 9481 N.E. Sandy. Details: AndyM@FriendsofTrees.org or JennyB@FriendsofTrees.org.

• Volunteers will gather at 10 a.m. Friday at The ReBuilding Center of Our United Villages, 3625 N. Mississippi Ave. to kickoff the Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend of Service.

• Celebrate the birth, life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. with a reading from his works, jazz gospel music and more. 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 N.E. 14th Ave.; free

I HAVE A DREAM

Martin Luther King is famous for that line, which he used in a speech in front of 250,000 people. He was a civil rights leader who helped to end racial segregation on public transportation.

His life was tragically ended on April 4, 1968 but during his life he had many accomplishments - and we will celebrate his life on Monday, January 18, 2010.

Martin Luther King's real birthday was January 15th, 1929 but we celebrate MLK Day on the third Monday of January now.

Time Magazine listed Martin Luther King as the Man of the Year in 1963 and then in 1964 he became the youngest person to earn the Noble Peace Prize. Dr. King was bestowed with five honorary degrees.

These are just a few facts you can enjoy as you celebrate the life of a great man.

MLK Day - Weekend of Service

We can all honor the spirit of Martin Luther King by performing service for our communities. If you live in or around the Portland metropolitan area, here is a list of events going on this weekend that you can volunteer to be a part of. These events are sponsored by United Way and showing a United effort to honor MLK.

Here is another event where you could volunteer in honor of MLK

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

LET'S CELEBRATE - IT'S MLK DAY!

It's MLK Day! And in these hard economic times, I think it's nice to remember that Dr. King said:

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead.

But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop."

Martin Luther King, Jr., April 3, 1968, Mason Temple, Memphis, TN

(Side note: it's my 26th year wedding anniversary!!!)