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A federal organization is asking people to use Martin Luther King Jr. day to volunteer in their communities, but in Johnson County, selflessness doesn’t have to begin and end on Monday.
Johnson County has several volunteer opportunities for people wanting to get involved year-round.
Christmas in Action in Cleburne is one example of a nonprofit organization that believes volunteering should be routine.
“Christmas in Action is Johnson County’s only volunteer housing repair project for the elderly and disabled,” said Teresa Richardson, Christmas in Action secretary.
The nonprofit encourages people with labor skills to volunteer, she said.
However, sometimes all you need is a little mobility to help someone in need, said Debra Burkes.
Burkes, a St. Mark United Methodist Church member in Cleburne, said whenever she has time available to devote to volunteering, she likes to dedicate her time to helping the elderly.
“I’m not too young myself,” the 67-year-old said. “But I like to help out as much as I can while I still can.”
Burkes said she helps others out by doing their grocery shopping and driving them to doctor appointments.
“I can’t always help because sometimes my body doesn’t allow me to,” she said. “But I think we should all help out whenever we can.”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day began to not only celebrate the civil rights leader life, but to continue his mission of encouraging good will toward others.
In 1994, Congress passed legislation encouraging the King Federal Holiday to be observed as a national day of service, and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this national effort.
Volunteer projects are scheduled to take place across the U.S. Projects include weatherizing homes, beautifying schools, serving meals and supporting veterans and military families.
Many organizations use the day as a springboard for year-round service, such as signing up mentors and tutors for at-risk youth, said the service organization’s CEO Robert Velasco.
“Dr. King devoted his life to advancing equality, social justice, and economic opportunity for all, and taught us that everyone has a role to play in making America what it ought to be,” Velasco said. “Now more than ever, we need to take heed of Dr. King’s teachings and work together to achieve his dream.
Volunteer service is a powerful way to strengthen economic opportunity, he said.
The community service organization leads the annual national MLK Day of Service as a part of its broader mission to encourage all Americans to volunteer to meet national needs.
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