Iowa Puts Citizenship and Service in Action

Volunteers encouraged to get started on their 50 hours helping with MLK Day activities

January 17, 2013 (DES MOINES, IOWA) — Thousands of Iowa residents will join hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country stepping up to serve as volunteers on the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on January 21.  Opportunities for getting involved are posted at www.volunteeriowa.org.

“On this important national holiday, we answer Dr. King’s call to serve and make a difference in the lives of our fellow Iowans,” said Adam Lounsbury, Executive Director of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.  “A resourceful way to meet local needs, volunteer service is a powerful tool that builds strong communities.  We are encouraging all Iowans to contribute 50 hours of their time volunteering each year to answer the Call to Service challenge issued by Governor Terry E. Branstad last fall.  Participating in service activities on MLK Day is a great way to get started on that goal.”

Organizations all over the state have planned activities and events that leverage the strength of local citizens to help tackle local problems and advance King’s dream of opportunity for all.  This year’s commemoration of the MLK Day of Service coincides with the 57th Presidential Inauguration, which includes a National Day of Service for January 19 that includes many MLK-related projects.  These projects include delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, signing up mentors, reading to children, promoting nonviolence, and more.

The MLK Day of Service shines a spotlight on service as a powerful force to bridge economic and social divides – today and throughout the year.  National Days of Service provide each of us with an opportunity to join neighbors and local leaders to tackle community challenges and strengthen the nation

About the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is the federal agency that leads the annual MLK Day of Service, working with the King Center in Atlanta and thousands of nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, and schools and businesses nationwide.  Dedicated to improving lives and strengthening communities, the Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service each year through its core programs, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and the Social Innovation Fund and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve.

About the ICVS (or Volunteer Iowa)
The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS or Volunteer Iowa) and its partner agencies work with organizations and individuals on three main fronts.  The first is to help agencies develop quality programs that use service as a strategy to fulfill their missions and address Iowa’s greatest areas of need.  The second is to help engage Iowans in their communities by promoting service and expanding the volunteer base.  Finally, the third area of work is to connect individuals with appropriate service opportunities by building the volunteer infrastructure.