Public Invited to Serve, Engage,
and Celebrate on MLK Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2011

For more information contact
Laura Logsdon
Volunteer Center of Story County Ames
laura.logsdon@vcstory.org
515-268-5323
Andrea Henry , Ames-ISU YWCA
ahenry@iastate.edu
515-294-0043
Josh Kriz
United Ames
unitedames@gmail.com
319-389-5058

AMES—The public is invited to serve, engage, and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s life on January 17, 2011. Three events will engage youth and adults in honoring the work of MLK and focus on ways to build our local community.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to create fleece blankets for children in need through Project Linus of Story County. The service project will take place from 10am-12pm in the Ames Public Library Auditorium. Any volunteer under 9 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All materials will be supplied. Volunteers are asked to register by January 12 at: www.vcstory.org.

A film and discussion will be held in the Ames Public Library Auditorium from 2-4pm focusing on grassroots community organizing. Participants will view the short film “A Village Called Versailles,” the story of Vietnamese residents of New Orleans re-building and defending their community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Following the film there will be a discussion on engaging individuals and groups toward community action.

The MLK Birthday Celebration will take place from 6-7:30pm at the Ames Middle School. Cake will be served from 6-6:30pm, followed by a program from 6:30-7:30pm featuring a variety of community groups presenting songs, skits, and speeches celebrating MLK’s life.

A winter clothing drive will be conducted throughout MLK Day – new or gently used hats, gloves, scarves, or jackets may be dropped off at any of these three events and will be donated to local clothing closets.

More information can be found about each event at www.vcstory.org.