BLOG #3
Project VOLUNTEER
Jan. 2017
DETERMINE YOUR GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE
by Susan Manuel
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others." -Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. lived an extraordinary life. At 33, he was pressing the case of civil rights with President John Kennedy. At 34, he galvanized the nation with his "I Have a Dream" speech. At 35, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. At 39, he was assassinated, but he left a legacy of hope and inspiration that continues today.
On Monday, January 16th, we will celebrate Dr. King's birthday with a national holiday. Signed into law in January 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, the day is a celebration of Dr. King's immeasurable contribution to the United States, and to humankind. The day is now known as a Day of Service, and is a way to transform Dr. King's life and teachings into community service which empowers and strengthens local communities.
Here at United Way, we hope you will integrate community service into your lifestyle, making it as important as a weekly trip to the grocery store, a quarterly oil change, or time spent watching your favorite sports team.
Certainly Dr. King knew and valued the important of community service and volunteerism.
"Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, and a soul generated by love." -Martin Luther King Jr.
We agree.
Here at United Way of Tulare County, we have several volunteer opportunities, and we provide a specialized website to help you connect and sign-up for service possibilities with us and also other local community benefit organization. The strength and success of United Way and the dozens of other organizations in Tulare County depends on your involvement.
This month we have been rounding up volunteers to help provide a day of services for the homeless. In February, we will have volunteers helping serve up tri-tip sandwiches in our food booth at the World Ag Center. Although organizations are thrilled to have someone volunteer their time to help with a website, or training on finances, sometimes it is just the simple tasks which mean a lot, too.
Perhaps you have a skill, perhaps you don't. It doesn't matter. Dr. King may have summed it up best when he said, "Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame, but because greatness is determined by service."
We all have the ability to be great, as we all have something to offer in the way of service to our community. As we take time to remember and celebrate Dr. King's life and legacy, take time to make service an important segment of your life. Please visit our website to explore volunteerism and discover opportunities: http://www.unitedwaytc.org/volunteer.html
