January 19th, the day we celebrate Martin Luther King, jr. and his dream, and the day before Barack Obama takes office as President of the United States, Democrats around the country are declaring a day of service to America. What a cool way to show your patriotism the day before Obama is sworn in! I want to highlight some events around the country where people can give back to their local community. I posted this as part of an earlier diary but realized that since the diary was aimed at people in Washington, D.C., no one who would be interested would see it. So, if you live in Washington, D.C., you can find some community service events for January 19th here. But if you live in Arkansas, Colorado, Virginia, Florida, Wyoming or Washington State, read on:

Democrats Work connects Democratic volunteers with visible, tangible service projects in their communities – cleaning up neighborhoods and parks, supporting schools and teachers, planting trees, sponsoring soccer clinics, and working at food banks. Democrats Work has events on Jan. 17th-19th in:

* Arkansas: Arkansas Foodbank Network in Little Rock

* Colorado: Denver Rescue Mission; Canned Food Drives in Denver with House District 5 here, here, or here (all on January 17th); Serve Lunch at The Crossing in Denver; Food Bank of the Rockies; Jeffco Action Center; Cleanup Tollgate Creek in Aurora

* Florida: New Smyrna Beach Cleanup

* Virginia: Clifton Road Cleanup

* Washington State: Work at the Northwest Harvest Foodbank in Kent; Restore Cheasty Greenspace in Seattle; Planting at the Duwamish Riverbend Hill in Tukwila (January 17th)

* Wyoming: Help at Interfaith-Good Samaritan in Laramie

America is about to enter a new era, leaving the Bush fiasco behind. Start this new era by reconnecting with your local community.

I got this from the National Jewish Democratic Council:

Please join the National Jewish Democratic Council and other Jewish groups on:

Monday, January 19, 2009
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Rd.
Bethesda, MD

for an afternoon of giving back to the Washington, DC community in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.

Participate in a variety of service projects including:
decorating placemats for the Children’s Inn at the National Institute of Health, making cards for soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, making 1,500 bag lunches for area homeless shelters, a bone marrow drive, and much more!

To learn more and to register please click here!

If you have any questions regarding this event please contact Abby Bruell at 202.216.9591 or at abby_at_njdc.org.

What a cool way to show your patriotism the day before Obama is sworn in.
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This comes from the great community service organization, Democrats Work:

Tornado Cleanup in Greeley

When: Saturday, July 19th 2008, at 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Meet at the banners across the street from the State Farm Regional Office
1555 Promontory Circle
Greeley, CO 80634

Info: Join the Weld County "Democrats in Action" and Democrats Work as we help with tornado recovery efforts in Weld County.

Volunteers will help remove debris, cut down trees and begin to clear a key entryway to the City of Greeley known to locals as “Treasure Island”.

Please wear work gloves, hats, as well as sunscreen and bring any tools or equipment that might be useful including wheel barrows, hand saws, gas powered chain saws, small tractors with buckets or backhoes.

If you are unable to do the physical labor involved, but wish to help, then donations of bottled water, snacks and lunch items are gratefully accepted from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

We will meet at the site which will be marked by banners, across the street and northwest of the State Farm Regional Office, 1555 Promontory Circle, Greeley, Colorado, 80634.
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Serve lunch to residents at The Crossing in Denver

When: Tuesday, August 5th 2008, at 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: The Crossing
6090 Smith Road
Denver, CO 80216

Info: Democrats Work and a team of middle-school students will serve lunch to formerly homeless families and individuals residing at The Crossing, one of The Denver Rescue Mission's facilities.

RSVP HERE

Ready, Set, CO!--Serve Lunch to Denver's Hungry

When: Friday, July 25th 2008, at 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Trinity Methodist Church
1820 Broadway
Denver, CO 80202

Info: Join a team of Democrats Work volunteers as we help Capitol Hill Community Services prepare and serve lunch to Denver's homeless. . . and cleanup afterwards!

Lunch will be served at Trinity Methodist Church. Please use the Garden Level entrance on the Broadway side and a receptionist will guide you to the kitchen.

This event is limited to 12 people, so sign up today!
Notes: All volunteers who RSVP will receive a free Democrats Work t-shirt!

Ready, Set, CO! - Horseshoe Park and Creek Cleanup in Aurora

When: Saturday, July 12th 2008, at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Horseshoe Park - meet in the parking lot next to the softball fields
2141 S. Kittredge Way
Aurora, CO

Host: Democrats Work
Info: Join Democrats Work volunteers and Aurora Parks and Open Space to cleanup the Horseshoe Natural Area in Aurora. We will be removing trash and debris from the park and the creeks that converge there.

All equipment will be provided. Wear some clothes that can get dirty, bring a friend, and let's get to work!
Notes: The first 12 people to RSVP will receive a free Democrats Work t-shirt!