January 15, 2014
Thousands from UW community and Seattle to volunteer for MLK Day of Service
On January 20, 2014, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, thousands of volunteers will honor the civil rights leader’s legacy of service by volunteering in the community at more than 80 projects identified by local nonprofit organizations. The MLK Day of Service is an annual, national tradition. The University of Washington-coordinated event brings together University of Washington students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and neighbors to volunteer alongside others in the Seattle and King County community. The Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center is partnering with the United Way of King County to make the event happen.
In 2013, more than 1,800 people volunteered on campus and throughout the Puget Sound region for the MLK Day of Service. This year, organizers anticipate 2,000 volunteers donating their day to their community, the majority coming from the UW community. Volunteers can lead or participate in such wide-ranging projects as restoring habitat, greenspace and parks; painting a daycare; promoting tax help for low-income people; organizing a foodbank; and more.
To lead or volunteer for a service project, visit uw.edu/carlson.
Kick-Off Rally
Will Berkovitz, CEO of Jewish Family Service, will give the keynote address at the MLK Kick-Off
A rousing Kick-Off rally at 8 a.m. at the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center will fortify volunteers’ spirits and stomachs for their day’s work. Will Berkovitz, CEO of Jewish Family Service, will inspire volunteers with his thoughts on service and social justice; Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Marisa Herrera, director of the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center, and Blair Taylor, chief community officer from Starbucks and United Way of King County board member will also provide brief remarks. Pastries and coffee, provided by Starbucks, and commemorative t-shirts will be available for volunteers as well.
Will Berkovitz is chief executive officer of Jewish Family Service. The 122-year-old agency delivers essential human services—from refugee resettlement to a food bank. Berkovitz’s prior service work includes roles as senior vice president & rabbi in residence at Repair the World, as well as rabbi and executive director of Hillel at the University of Washington/Jconnect Seattle.
The Day of Service is nationwide tradition spanning more than 20 years. The UW and United Way have partnered on local Day of Service opportunities for more than ten years. The organizations’ efforts have culminated into the largest Day of Service in Washington state.
Event Details
Who: You + 1,800 UW family, friends, and community members
What: MLK Day of Service Kick-Off Event and Service Projects
When: Monday, January 20, 2014. Kick-Off Event 8:00 a.m. sharp! Projects happen throughout the day
Where: Kick-Off at the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center, 3931 Brooklyn Avenue NE. Service projects at various locations
How: Sign up to lead or participate in a project here: uw.edu/carlson
Share: Participants are encouraged to share their experiences via social media using the hashtags #HuskiesServe and #MLKsea.
The MLK Day of Service is coordinated and supported by the UW Carlson Leadership & Public Service Center and the United Way of King County. Event sponsors include Union Bank, Starbucks, Titan 360, UW’s First Year Programs, and the UW Alumni Association.