Jan. 16, 2008 — When President-elect Barack Obama asked the country to join him in a national day of service, the Virgin Islands heard the call loud and clear.
Events planned for Jan. 19, the federal holiday for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and the day preceding Obama's inauguration as president, include pitching in as a junior researcher, painting, gardening, cleaning playgrounds or learning a bit about our environment on a hike. These are all opportunities, Obama has said, that could lead to a larger effort, an ongoing commitment to our community.
The day will honor the legacy of Dr. King, and echo President John F. Kennedy's mandate at his own inaugural in 1960: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
The New York Times, quoting Obama, said, "Unlike past calls to service, President-elect Obama will ask Americans to do more than just offer a single day of service to their cities, towns and neighborhoods. He will ask all of us to make an ongoing commitment to our communities. Never has it been more important to come together in shared purpose to tackle the common challenges we face."
There's still time to volunteer for any of the following opportunities:
On St. Thomas:
Improving Access to Caribbean Family History
9 a.m. Monday
Caribbean Genealogy Library, Inc.
Volunteer at the Caribbean Genealogy Library any time from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Create an index for a microfilm record, organize publications, identify photographs, train as a volunteer librarian, inventory and arrange special collections, create finding aids for historical records . . . we'll show you how. Whether you volunteer for an hour or several hours, your work will be helping others to find information on their local family histories. Call Susan Lugo to schedule a time. 690-9531
Ecology Hike
9 a.m. Monday at Shed No. 3
Magens Bay Trail
Participants will hike through a mangrove forest and up into tropical dry forest as they learn about the ecology of these ecosystems. This is sponsored by the Environmental Association of St. Thomas (EAST). Hike will last two hours.

Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School Clean-Up
8 a.m. Monday
Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School
Rotary Club of St. Thomas Sunrise is hosting a cleanup of the Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School in Savan. Please bring a pair of gloves for cleanup and wear clean up clothes. The community will come together on the Tuitt School Campus. Garbage bags will be supplied. If anyone has rakes, brooms, or other cleaning utensils please bring them along to help facilitate this special Day of Service Inauguaral Project.
On St. Croix:
Mini Rehabilitation Project
9 a.m. Monday
Girls and Boys Clubs (Frederiksted)
Volunteers will spend the day helping to spruce up the Boys and Girls Clubs in Christiansted and Frederiksted. They will be doing gardening and landscaping chores on the grounds, painting the buildings and conducting inventory of offices, recreational and storage rooms.
Bethlehem House Painting
10 a.m. Monday
Bethlehem House (Christiansted, VI)
Paint Bethlehem House as needed
Facelift
7 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24
The Salvation Army (Frederiksted)
Cut overhanging bush from fence and discard. Plant and fertilize flowers; make flower bed and chicken coop.
On St. John:
Beautification Project
9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21
Guy H. Benjamin Elementary School
Community groups along with faculty and staff of Guy H. Benjamin Elementary School will be hosting a cleanup and beautification day on the school campus. The goal is to repair damages equipment, spruce up the playground equipment and complete the gardening project around the entire campus. We plan to make this an annual event for the school with the assistance of the community.
Check www.coralbaycommunitycouncil.org and click on first link for updates on MLK day volunteer activities and what tools, gloves and the like to bring.
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