HandsOn Inland Empire Honors Dr. King's Legacy Through Volunteer Action

In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the King Holiday as a national day of volunteer service instead of a day off from work or school. Congress asked Americans of all backgrounds and ages to celebrate Dr. King's legacy by turning community concerns into citizen action.

Although the scope of the event grows every year, many people still are not aware of the service component of the holiday. HandsOn Inland Empire's observance, on what would have been Dr. King's 80th birthday, has several components that will raise awareness of Dr. King's mission and fulfill the purpose of the holiday.

On Sunday, January 18, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., volunteers will join local community leaders in a discussion about Dr. King's Poor People's Campaign and how the components of the Campaign can be addressed through volunteers serving in Pomona's Abbey/Karesh neighborhood.

The following day, Monday, January 19, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., HandsOn Inland Empire has partnered with the Pomona Weed and Seed program to engage nearly 200 volunteers in a neighborhood revitalization of Pomona's Abbey/Karesh neighborhood. Volunteers will help to beautify the Abbey/Karesh neighborhood of Pomona by assisting in trash clean-up, landscaping projects, and improving neighborhood safe havens.

At the same time on Monday, January 19, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., HandsOn Inland Empire has partnered with various agencies to develop projects that provided hundreds of other volunteers the opportunity to serve on this day in projects that meet critical needs in the communities as defined by Dr. King's poor people's campaign.

Volunteer projects range from school clean ups, neighborhood revitalizations to animal rescue projects. A full list of these projects can be found on www.HandsOnInlandEmpire.org.

For additional information on HandsOn Inland Empire's 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, contact Francine Gobert at fgobert@ieuw.org. A list of all the projects and registration information can also be found on www.HandsOnInlandEmpire.org.

HandsOn Inland Empire, an initiative of Inland Empire United Way, brings individuals, families, teams and corporate groups together to strengthen communities through meaningful volunteer action within Western San Bernardino County and the Pomona Valley area of Los Angeles County.

Inland Empire United Way (IEUW) is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with local community leaders, businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to build a stronger community.

By strategically investing in programs and initiatives such as HandsOn Inland Empire, KidSmart, Pathways, and 2-1-1 San Bernardino County, long-lasting and positive changes are made in the lives of children, families, and individuals. The IEUW service area covers regions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties.

For more information about volunteering opportunities, contact:
Shalini Lall
HandsOn Inland Empire Operations Manager
(909) 980-2857 ext 228
fax (909) 980-2957
slall@ieuw.org