The Martin Luther King Jr. service day, hosted by City Year Milwaukee, took place on Monday, January 17, 2011 at South Division High School. Over 150 volunteers teamed up with the 60-member Milwaukee corps to help beautify the environment at South Division. Murals, canvas paintings, and inspirational quotes were painted on walls across the school.
Volunteers came from many different organizations. There were students from Marquette University and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Frito Lay & Starbucks employees, and members of different Greek organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. It was truly the venue for painters, idealists, dreamers, and activists to unite under the umbrella of service and give back to the community.
And that’s really all MLK day is about; people crossing the invisible lines of segregation; coming together as one to make a tangible difference for humanity. One corps member, Anthony Staton, was in agreement. “It is a joy to see that what Dr. King was fighting for is happening by diverse people celebrating his legacy through service,” he stated.
As a civil rights activist, Dr. King’s main wish was for people of all races and colors to be treated equally. In his I Have a Dream speech, he said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of 
their character.” The reality of that dream was recognized yesterday more than ever as people from all different walks of life came together to make a difference in the lives of others.
One of the volunteers from Marquette University said he feels an obligation to service and his community. “He [MLK, Jr.] did so much for us, and made the ultimate sacrifice for the goodwill of others. That is true altruism. I feel compelled to show my appreciation through service.” With City Year’s annual MLK service day, students like that and others are able to give back and push for a better world for all of us. Dr. King planted a tree under whose shade he never planned to sit. Today, we are all sitting under that shade, working on planting more trees for future generations to come.
Thank you Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is in your name and legacy that we serve, hoping to make a profound impact on the people and communities we live.
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