January 11, 2017
King Day of Service
Around Town
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Business Photo courtesy city of O’Fallon Volunteers at last year’s O’Fallon’s King Day of Service put together some 600 paper carnations and other paper flowers and added their creative touches to over 500 pre-printed Valentine’s Day cards that were packaged and delivered to over 600 residents, mostly being senior citizens.
City of O’Fallon marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day with volunteer opportunities By Brett Auten When it comes to receiving and giving it, who couldn’t need a little more kindness in their life? The city of O’Fallon is offering a splendid opportunity for area volunteers to spread a little graciousness and benevolence in the community. For the ninth year, O’Fallon’s King Day of Service looks to empower and strengthen those in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and teachings. The city’s “King Day of Service” is from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16. “We’ve invited high school leadership classes as well as all other students,” Megan Taylor, city of O’Fallon Volunteer Services Coordinator, said. “As well as any members from the community it is a good time to come together.” Volunteers, no matter the age, will scour through family-friendly projects, each designed to have a positive impact on local residents currently living in residential care facilities. Planned projects include creating
paper flowers, writing cards and letters and decorating place mats. Last year, the group put together some 600 paper carnations and other paper flowers and added their creative touches to over 500 pre-printed Valentine’s Day cards that were packaged and delivered to over 600 residents, mostly being senior citizens. The finished creations are then paired with another compassionate day as they will be personally delivered in early February as part of Random Acts of Kindness Day. “This ties in all generations,” Taylor added. “It’s a lot of fun. It gives our volunteers a chance to write and be creative. It’s nice thing for our seniors. It is a similar format to what we have done in the past. We have grown. We saw a need to outreach to them and couldn’t think of a better way.” The location of the King Day Service will be at O’Fallon City Hall, positioned at 100 N. Main Street. With most of the area’s students likely off school due to the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday holiday, it is an opportune time to get the younger citizens involved.
“We have definitely had a wide range of ages over the past few years,” Taylor said. “From two-year-olds to those who are in their 80s and 90s, it’s great to watch them intermingle. It gives them a chance to converse, build relationships, and do something worthwhile.” Pre-registration is required for this event, as space and supplies are limited. Register online at www.ofallon.mo.us/volunteer. For more information, contact O’Fallon’s Volunteer Services at 636-379-5417 or you send an email to volunteer@ofallon.mo.us. Martin Luther King’s birthday is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King’s birthday of Jan. 15. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. The national Martin Luther King Day of Service was started to challenge- Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service in honor of King.
Serving St. Louis, St. Charles, and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 19 No. 1 | 636-379-1775
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