Martin Luther King Day of Service events to be held Monday

St. Louis Public Radio | By Maria Altman

Published January 13, 2011 at 5:05 PM CST

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leaning on a lectern on March 26, 1964. Monday, Jan. 17 is a national holiday, one that some will be using as an opportunity to serve their communities. (Wikimedia Commons/Marion S. Trikosko)

For some, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day will be a day of service rather than a day off.

More than 400 volunteers are expected to take part in projects organized by AmeriCorps St. Louis and the City of St. Louis.

Brittany Ledbetter with AmeriCorps says they're hoping to foster volunteerism that will help the community long-term.

"So you learn that when you do community service in your youth you kind of sustain that for life," Ledbetter said," So we're trying to build that commitment and maybe people didn't get it when they were younger, so we want to give opportunities for young professionals, older people, we're really trying to get everyone involved."

The projects Monday include handing out energy efficient light bulbs in the 22nd ward and emergency preparedness packets in the College Hill area.

Those interested in helping can call AmeriCorps at 314-622-4093.