Members of the Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County, Pa., participated in a march to demonstrate support for racial equality and peace.

Thousands of Boys & Girls Club members recognized Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service on Jan. 21, 2008. The day was dedicated to honoring the legacy of the civil rights leader who encouraged our nation to work together to build a stronger country. Initiated by Congress in 1994, the National Day of Service may have been a holiday for some, but for many of America’s youth, it was a day on, not a day off.

For Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, this special day served as a great opportunity to go beyond their walls to instill a sense of civic responsibility in members of all ages and backgrounds, and encourage them to become involved in serving their communities.

Clubs sprang into action, engaging young people in a variety of service projects. Activities ranged in size and scope and often included collaborations with outside community groups. In many cases, Club members brainstormed ways to help their communities and then planned out their MLK Day of Service.

The result? Club youth could be found working everywhere that day – nursing homes, Habitat for Humanity building sites, homeless shelters, hospitals and park cleanup sites. They visited the sick, planted trees and painted classrooms. Many Clubs also conducted canned food and toy drives for those less fortunate.

But best of all, at the end of the day, these young people understood what it feels like to make a difference and have a sense of pride in their communities.