Lynn to mark MLK with Day of Service

LYNN – On Jan. 21 members of the Lynn Community Association will gather for the second annual MLK Day of Service where they plan to answer the query once posed by Martin Luther King Jr.: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ?What are you doing for others?'””We started last year with a smaller project,” said LCA President Mary Trahan. “This year we decided to make it bigger and we have already over 100 signed up.”MLK Day of Service is a nationwide movement that’s part of United We Serve, a presidential call to service initiative that takes place on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.MLK day is traditionally a holiday but the idea is that “the focus is to make it a day on, not a day off,” said a press release regarding the program.Last year the group got a late start but still rallied about 50 volunteers from three different organizations.”This year we started planning in August looking to develop projects and make it a bigger deal,” Trahan.Along with planning projects the group also successfully applied for a Massachusetts Service Alliance grant, which it will use to defray the cost of paint, cleaning supplies and other project needs.Volunteers, which include individuals as well as groups such as Girls Inc., Circle of Nations, Social Capital Inc., RAW Arts and The Food Project, will work in two shifts, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Trahan said volunteers should meet at Girls Inc. 15 minutes prior to their shift and they’ll be given their assignments.Volunteers will be tackling projects such as painting and putting together newcomer kits at the homeless shelter, conducting clean ups at the Ingalls Elementary School, Girls Inc. and the YMCA.”There is also a group from RAW Arts that will help straighten up and do the initial set up of a teen room at the (Lynn Public) library,” Trahan said.There will also be an After-Party at Girls Inc. to celebrate everyone’s hard work.”Volunteers will get to enjoy a pizza party, network and watch President Obama’s Inauguration at Girls Inc. at the end of each shift,” she said.Trahan admitted they were about full in terms of volunteers but she also said she wouldn’t turn anyone away.”We’ll find something for them to do,” she said. “Plus with so much flu going around, we may have some no shows.”Anyone interested in volunteering can call 781-592-9744 ext. 243 for more information.When asked if she planned to create an even bigger event for next year Trahan laughed.”Well, of course,” she said. “We have to keep it going.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].