This weekend, hundreds of Austinites will give their time and talents to nonprofits throughout the city, during the annual MLK Day of Service. It’s a beautiful way to honor Dr. King, who famously stated, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” The acts of giving that we see this weekend will prove, once again, just how great a city Austin is.
It’s fitting that this day devoted to serving others falls at the start of the year, because so many people have resolved to focus more of their energy on making the world a better place in 2017. As they honor Dr. King’s legacy by serving their community, we hope that people throughout Austin will be inspired to continue on, to not simply participate in a Day of Service, but to begin a full year of serving others and, from there, a lifetime. We hope they will be inspired to greatness.
There are many ways to give back, should you be inspired to turn your Day of Service into something more, and we encourage you find the ones that work best for you. CASA volunteers give back year-round by ensuring children who have been abuse or neglected remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system, by remaining consistent in their lives, and by speaking up for their best interests in court. More than 700 kids in Travis Country went without the powerful voice of a CASA volunteer last year. You could be the dedicated adult they need.
If you think becoming a CASA volunteer might be a way you would like to serve, consider filling out and submitting your volunteer application during your day off on Monday. If you want a little more information before applying, join us at an upcoming Volunteer Info Session.
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Holidays January 2017