Volunteerism: A Legacy from Martin Luther King Jr.

OUR COUNTY
D. GARY DAVIS
COUNTY MAYOR

Volunteerism: A Legacy from Martin Luther King Jr.

On Monday, January 18th the nation observed a federal holiday to mark the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Doctor King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement in the 1960s and a man of great accomplishment.

One of the things he recognized early on was the power of service and volunteerism to strengthen communities and achieve common goals. In recognition of his efforts, communities across the nation emphasize an annual "Day of Service." It is a time when people of all ages and backgrounds come together to meet tangible needs, such as fixing up a school or senior center. These volunteer efforts build a sense of community and mutual responsibility.

As Mayor, I can proudly say that Bradley County residents have always had a commitment to serving their community. I am amazed at the number of people who give of their time and energy to make Bradley county a better place for everyone. A coalition that included the local branch of the NAACP, 100 Black Men of Bradley County, Lee University and Cleveland State Community College, planned a series of events on MLK Day of Service that began at 9 AM. The day ended with the annual Dream Keepers Ceremony at Lee. That event honors area youth who have given valuable service to this Community.

But this is just a small sample of the hundreds of volunteer service activities in Bradley County. More than 400 volunteers help operate the County Parks and Recreation baseball and softball programs. This does not include the many volunteers who work in the football and basketball programs.

Each year the Cleveland/Bradley County United Way campaign is a success because of more than 100 volunteers who head the fundraising effort. More than 20 United Way agencies receive these funds. Yet, United Way organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, Red Cross, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, could not survive without the hundreds of Bradley County volunteers.

According to the IRS, Tennessee ranks 4th in the nation in claims filed for charitable giving. A publication called Volunteering in America says 1.2 million Tennessee Volunteers each give more than 156.9 hours of service every year. This service contributes $3.1 billion to Tennessee's economy. I think it's clear that Bradley County volunteers are leading the way.
 
There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities in our County and I urge you to sign up. Whether teaching literacy skills with OAR, or helping an individual build the skills they need to get a job, acts of service can help others improve their own lives while uplifting the spirit of those who serve. Community service bridges barriers between people and teaches us that in the end, we are more alike than we are different.

There is a role for everyone to play in building a better community. As I reflect upon the hundreds of people who are already serving I must again say that Bradley County is Tennessee at its best.