SILVER SPRING, MD— Volunteers in Montgomery Parks will join thousands of people across the country honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service by making MLK Day a day on and not a day off. Montgomery Parks is set to host multiple volunteer events January 14-16, 2017 in conjunction with the MLK National Day of Service.
“Last year we had over 350 volunteers participate in events taking place during the MLK Jr. Day of Service weekend,” said Michael Riley, Director of Montgomery Parks. “We removed over 10,000 pounds of litter and debris and made a big dent in the invasive plants at several of our parks through these efforts. The hard work done for MLK Day and all year long by our dedicated volunteers is critical to keeping our parks clean and beautiful. This annual day of service is the perfect opportunity to thank them and encourage others to get involved.”
MLK Day of Service volunteer events, including park and stream cleanups and removal of non-native invasive plants (Weed Warrior projects), are scheduled at parks in various communities throughout the county. Many of the volunteer service projects are open to the public and volunteers of all ages, including students who will be able to earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.
For more details on dates, times, locations and to sign up please visit www.MontgomeryParks.org/MLK or contact the Volunteer Services Office at 301-495-2504.
To organize your own MLK Jr Day of Service volunteer event in Montgomery Parks please contact Henry Coppola at henry.coppola@montgomeryparks.org or 301-495-2476. For more information on volunteering in Montgomery Parks please visit ParksVolunteers.org.
(Volunteers are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and wear clothes that can get dirty and possibly wet and bring water to drink. All volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.)
About the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Montgomery Parks
M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 417 parks throughout the County. The Department of Parks is part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. The M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high quality parks and recreation services and is ranked as a national model of excellence in park and recreation management by other park systems and by the National Recreation and Parks Association.
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