Millions of Americans will come together on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Jan. 21, 2013, in a day of national service and dialogue to honor the memory of Dr. King. Dr. King had a dream that one day all people would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as called for in the Declaration of Independence. Dr. King called for social justice and opportunity. He asked that we bridge differences and come together in unity.

Since Dr. King was assassinated, tremendous social progress has been made, but much remains unfinished. Americans believe that people have the power to make positive change – in cities struggling with poverty and high unemployment rates – in families where people are going hungry – and in school districts where more than half of our children aren’t graduating from high school.

With many communities struggling to find financial and human service, volunteer service can be a powerful force. Neighbors helping neighbors, young helping old, employees offering skills and companies investing in communities where they do business. We dream of the day in which everyone is actively involved in making a better America.

PEACE READERS
1. Will engage children using key talking points on Martin Luther King, Jr., his vision and ideals, personal service, and community and peace in general.
2. Read a book that compliments these themes.
3. Provide all children being read to with a bookmark giving them some simple steps to encourage peace throughout the community.
4. Children will be encouraged to draw what peace looks like to them and share ideas about what they could ‘pledge to do’ that week to improve their community. Children will be asked to pledge to do one ‘ten minute’ act of service for someone else each week from then on.
5. PEACE READERS are asked to pledge to volunteer on at least one more service project in the next ten months.

PEACE READERS can choose the school or library they wish to read at. Peace Community Members can help you to choose a school or library if you do not have one. The Reading Event will take place all day on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, A majority of the reading project will be done during school hours, roughly 8am to 3pm, depending on the school’s wishes and schedules. The rest will take place at local libraries during their regularly scheduled children’s story times in the week before and after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

HANDSON CONNECT WORKSHOP
Ionia County Intermediate School District
Monday January 21, 2013
4:00 pm to 6:00pm

Is your business, organization, or nonprofit is looking for ways in which you can get involved in National Days of Service volunteer events? HandsOn Connect is the leading resource for online Volunteer Management and Recruitment. This workshop will demonstrate how you can connect with local partners to make a difference in YOUR COMMUNITY!

COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT
First Christian Church
Saturday January 19, 2013
10:00 am to 1:00pm

Ionia Kids Club Members will be starting out this project 2 days early to apply the first coat of stain to 8 garden benches that will be used in Community Gardens.

Bertha Brock Park
Monday January 21, 2013
1:00 pm to 3:00pm

The Community Food Network is looking for volunteers to complete the bench project by assembling the benches and applying a second layer of stain.

LAUNDRY SOAP PROJECT
Ionia County Intermediate School District
Monday January 21, 2013
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties and Volunteer Connections is looking for community partners to help with this laundry soap project. Supplies are needed and volunteers to help mix the supplies.

1. Bar Soap: This is perfect for schools or classrooms wishing to get involved. Students collect bars of soap the week before MLK Day and spend time shredding the soap on MLK Day.
2. Borax and Washing Soda: This is perfect for businesses or adult groups wishing to get involved. We need approximately 12 boxes of Borax and 12 boxes of Washing Soda. These items can be costly, so this is great for small groups where everyone buys one box! Together ONE can Make a Difference.
3. Volunteers needed on MLK Day to mix the ingredients together and pack for distribution through local food pantries.

To learn more about any of these volunteer projects or to sign up visit HandsOn Connect email us at ioniacountypeace@gmail.com or call 616-755-8050.