Volunteers Needed for Martin Luther King Day Service Projects

Martin Luther King. Courtesy photo.

By Sonia Isotov

The County of Maui is looking for hundreds of volunteers to help with different community service projects this month, in honor of Martin Luther King Day.

The effort is part of a nationwide push to promote Dr. King’s call for social justice by helping worthy causes in local communities. The slogan for the call to service is “A day on, not a day off!” as millions of people all across the USA gather to serve others.

Maui County is participating in this effort by asking for volunteers to help out with nine different projects across the island. The projects are scheduled for Jan. 19 and Jan. 21, in coordination with the County of Maui Volunteer Center along with Maui Economic Opportunity’s AmeriCorps program.

“Martin Luther King Day is a day that is best spent serving others,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa, in a written statement. “I encourage everyone to honor the memory of Dr. King by spending some time volunteering for a good cause, of which we have many here in our community.”

Organizations with projects on Jan. 19:

• Habitat for Humanity – Harbor Lights demolition and restoration
• Community Work Day – Planting a keiki garden and wetland restoration
• The Maui Farm – Building blocks of life

Organizations with projects on January 21:

• Sustainable Living Institute at University of Hawaii Maui College
• Haleakala Lion’s Club – Building bentos
• Hale Makua – Painting party
• Friends of Old Maui High School – Restoration projects

To volunteer for any of these MLK Volunteer Community Service Projects, go online to www.handsonmaui.com.. For more information, email Wendy Stebbins, Volunteer Center Coordinator, at [email protected] or call (808) 270-7150.