Inaugural excitement has precipitated a deluge of volunteerism around the Washington region, and some organizers are finding themselves with more do-gooders than they can deal with.
The biggest crowds are turning out on Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The volunteer-focus of the holiday was initiated by Congress in 1994, but the “call to service” of President-elect Barack Obama has inspired unprecedented numbers of participants.
Greater DC Cares, an organization that coordinates volunteer opportunities for individuals and businesses, filled 550 opportunities more than a week ago and have 100 people on a waiting list, said spokeswoman Sarah Repking.
“We’ve had to turn away at least 50 people in the last couple of days alone,” she said.
Repking’s agency filled up with about 400 people last year. As on service days past, participants will work to stock libraries and paint classrooms in six D.C. public schools.
Nationally, nearly 8,000 Martin Luther King Jr. Day events are listed on the Web site USAservice.com, advertised on Barack Obama’s Web site. Last year, the site hosted about 5,000 events and about 500,000 volunteers.
This year, “we’re hoping for millions of people,” said Sandy Scott, a spokesman for the Corporation for National and Community Service, the umbrella agency for groups like Americorps and Senior Corps.
About 100 of the USAservice.com events are within 10 miles of Washington. Scott encouraged people not to be discouraged by capacity numbers, but to organize something on their own or with neighbors and friends.
“Collect food and bring it to a food bank, or sign up to be a mentor or a tutor,” Scott said.
Remaining available opportunities through Serve DC, an agency of the city government, involve neighborhood cleanups and transporting food to Capital Area Food Bank. All D.C. fire and emergency medical service stations accept non-perishable food deliveries, but need help with distribution.
“The right way to honor Dr. King is to join in acts of service to others,” Scott said. “And Obama has given a huge shot in the arm to the effort.”
