By Maria Altman, St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis – More than 1,000 people turned out to volunteer for the first ever Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in St. Louis.
Monday's event, which was organized by the United Way of Greater St. Louis, gathered volunteers at 20 sites around the city to clean and paint homes and schools and to beautify neighborhoods.
United Way spokeswoman Carrie Zukoski said more people turned out than expected and organizers hope to make the service day an annual event.
She said with funding from the Hands On Network, the United Way is planning more volunteer days this year.