Dr. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.  Dr. King’s life was devoted to public service.  In honor of his legacy, volunteers across the country donate their time to make a difference on this day.

If you have Monday off, I encourage you to find a volunteer opportunity in your area.  Here are two websites to get you started:

http://www.handsonnetwork.org/

http://mlkday.gov/

My Plans for Monday
I have spoken to my kids about what they would like to do on Monday.  We have decided to go grocery shopping for donations for the Bowie Food Pantry  and to prepare casseroles for Sarah’s House, a homeless shelter on Ft. Meade.  If I get some good pictures, I will post them next week.

If any of you (au pairs or host families) get photos from service projects you do, please send them to me, so I may share them.

Update:  Here is a picture of my kids outside the store after our trip to the grocery store to buy donations for the food pantry. We didn’t end up making our casseroles for the shelter that day, so that will be a project for another time.

Program Overview (from the Disney website)

We want to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities. So we’re celebrating these volunteers’ good works by giving each of them a 1-day, 1-theme park ticket to the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort, free. There’s no better time to make a dream come true for others and let us make a few come true for you.

You must pre-register and sign up through this site to volunteer and complete your service at an eligible volunteer opportunity in the fifty United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or Canada to receive a ticket after verification of such service. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. You must be at least 18 to sign up. You may only sign up a maximum of 8 members of your household. Children must be at least 6 to participate in the program. One ticket per person, regardless of the number of times you volunteer. Program begins January 1, 2010 and continues until tickets are distributed or until December 15, 2010, whichever occurs first. Your voucher for a free ticket must be redeemed by December 15, 2010, and used on the same day of redemption.

Other terms and conditions apply. See complete Program Terms & Conditions and FAQs.

I want to thank everyone who showed up, brought bread, made sandwiches and helped us surpass my initial goal of 400 sandwiches.

Here are a few photos.

First two au pairs to arrive getting right to work.

Sandwich assembly line

Having fun making sandwiches

Many hands make light work.

Striking a fun pose after all that hard work.

Group Photo with our Finished Sandwiches

At least once per year, we have a cluster meeting that is a service project.  Some of our past volunteer/community service events include:

• DC Help the Homeless Walk
• Bowie International Festival
• Preparing lunches for Habitat for Humanity
• Donating items to children affected by Hurricane Katrina
• Working at Silver Diner to raise money for Tsunami Relief
• Wrapping gifts for needy children

It talks about her experiences here in the U.S. as well as the volunteer work she has done in her community.

A Year of Learning and Giving

One host mom told her counselor that this project had a special meaning for her because her own son was seriously ill when he was born and was given a Project Linus blanket which they have kept.  When she found out her au pair was taking part, she said it brought tears to her eyes.

All who participated felt it was a worthy cause and a great way to give back to their community.

WAY TO GO!

Au Pair in America Au Pairs from Chicago Area