/ Modified jan 19, 2014 4:40 p.m.

Tucsonans Prepare to Honor MLK Legacy by Serving Community

On Jan. 20 various local nonprofits will set up service projects to commemorate civil rights leader in national holiday.

Hundreds of Tucsonans are expected to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy Monday participating and volunteering at various community events set up for MLK Day or Service, said a press release from Serve Arizona.

"On Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Day, Tucsonans will answer Dr. King's call to serve," said Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, who, alongside the Pima County Board of Supervisors, signed proclamations recognizing Jan. 20 as MLK Day of Service. "Volunteer service is a powerful tool that builds strong communities, putting core principles of citizenship and service into action."

Arizona Service is one of many local nonprofits that will be setting up service projects for the day.

Among those projects are the Day On, Not a Day Off MLK Day Volunteer Fair, which will take place at the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona Resource Center, 4300 E. Broadway Blvd., between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

At the event, attendees will get a chance to help out in activities, such as a writing station to make thank you letters for veterans, and also interact with other local nonprofits to hopefully learn more about volunteer work, the press release explained.

There will be about 15 nonprofits at the fair, including literacy organizations, homeless service agencies, anti-bulling organizations and veteran organizations. There will also be an MLK food drive that will benefit the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

National members of the Arizona Serve VISTA team and the American Red Cross of Southern Arizona AmeriCorps team are helping coordinate the fair, and will also be volunteering, the press release said.

Other events include the Coronado Heights Neighborhood Beautification project, aiming to clean areas of the neighborhood. Volunteers will meet at Ernie's Market, 247 W. Laguna Street, and starting at 10 a.m., they will be pulling weeds, painting over graffiti and picking up trash.

This day of service is also celebrated around the country to commemorate MLK's national holiday.

For more information on the service projects Jan. 20 call 928-515-4454 or 795-1566.

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