[StBernard] Governor Blanco urges volunteerism as Louisiana kicks off its first statewide Martin Luther King Day

[Westley Annis]

Governor Blanco urges volunteerism as Louisiana kicks off its first statewide Martin Luther King Day of Service/Justice Sunday initiative

BATON ROUGE - Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today announced Louisiana will be the first state to kick off a year-long statewide Justice Sunday service initiative honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I urge Louisianans to get involved as we launch the nation's first statewide service initiative honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," Governor Blanco said. "Communities across our state will participate in numerous projects throughout the year that bring people together through service and reflect the principles of justice, service and equality that Dr. King so passionately fought for."

Louisiana is the first state to call for a focus on volunteerism based on the ideals of Dr. King's focus on community service and life as a public servant. Through the National Alliance of Faith and Justice, communities throughout Louisiana will join others across the country hosting service projects the weekend of the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. The Justice Sunday National Continuum calls for these projects to continue throughout the remainder of the year. 

The current list of Louisiana projects through this initiative ranges from health fairs and tax preparation assistance to community clean-ups and job training workshops.

The King Holiday is increasingly recognized as "a day ON, not a day OFF" for Americans volunteering in their communities. Participation in King Day of Service activities has grown steadily each year since Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act in 1994, calling on Americans to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of citizen action. 

Louisiana's Justice Sunday Initiative kicks off January 12-15, 2007. Individuals and groups interested in volunteering in or hosting a Justice Sunday/King Day of Service project should contact Sylvia Andrews of Gov. Blanco's Louisiana Children's Cabinet, at 225.342.3327, or visit www.nafj.org <http://keelson.eatel.net/websites/la.gov/action.cfm?md=communication&task=addClick&msg_ID=3094&ID=d%2Bi%2Be%3Ci%40nFn%3D&redirect=http://www.nafj.org> . The Web site enables citizens to register for individual projects and provides an easy way for organizations to register and produce meaningful service projects. The Governor's Office is also coordinating events with churches and local organizations. 

All registered participants will receive a free King Day of Service T-shirt. 

The 2007 Justice Sunday Continuum/Martin Luther King Day of Service is organized by the National Alliance of Faith and Justice in cooperation with the Gov. Blanco's Louisiana Children's Cabinet. Additional information about the MLK Day of Service is available online at: www.mlkday.gov <http://www.mlkday.gov> .

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