Laserfiche WebLink
fr <br /> VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT <br /> r. <br /> MLK Day 2013 <br /> By Jared Dearth and Jenna Van Haren <br /> "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"(Martin Luther King Jr.). Every year in <br /> January, AmeriCorps Cape Cod takes a break from environmental and disaster preparedness service to plan a human ser- <br /> vice needs day for the Corporation for National and Community Service's annual MLK Day of Service. Thursday COD <br /> day decided that the veterans and active military service men and women of Cape Cod needed our help.This year our <br /> theme was"Serving Those Who Serve Us." As we worked on this theme we determined that the Cape Cod community <br /> had many other needs. ,We were shocked to learn that many people on Cape Cod also wanted to help out their neigh- <br /> bors. <br /> On the day of the event, 200.volunteers including members of the Highland Street Corps Ambassadors, <br /> Habitat for Humanity, and the Senior Corps flocked into the gymnasium. All.together we were able to create: 50 fleece <br /> blankets, 26 paracord bracelets &32 keychains,28 duct tape wallets &assorted crafts, 73 brain <br /> teaser puzzles for veteran care packages, 75 "Hero Pack"backpacks to help children of active-duty military feel more <br /> connected with a military parent, 95 care packages were created to be sent to troops in Afghanistan, 61 letters of thanks <br /> and encouragement to troops in Afghanistan, completely painted two transitional homes for Champ Homes.Inc., com- <br /> pletely insulated and drywalled several <br /> rooms for a veteran's rehabilitation <br /> center in New Seabury, and completely <br /> installed two major <br /> hydroponic growing systems for Cape <br /> =h Abilities in Dennis. <br /> F. <br /> These imaginative projects were all <br /> sent to the troops along with many <br /> ; heartfelt letters of gratitude. All of the <br /> people that helped on MLK Day made <br /> the day a great success and helped <br /> AmeriCorps serve human needs on the <br /> Cape. AmeriCorps received many pos- <br /> itive comments from the volunteers and <br /> the organizations that we served. <br /> BMW <br /> AmeriCorps Members worked alongside community volunteers for MLK . . <br /> 16 <br />