We have long admired the designation of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday as a national day of service and feel that designation is even more appropriate in this era of super-heated racial feelings, misunderstandings and mistrust.
The initiative calls for Americans who have the day off from their regular jobs to work with others on projects that strengthen communities, help each other and bridge various barriers.
Working together for something – and not against something – tends to melt away divides, erode prejudices, foster friendships and build understanding.
The federal holiday in honor of King was signed into law in 1983, and Congress designated the holiday as a national day of service in 1994.
Many Chattanoogans who had the day off Monday chose to make it a “day on” to assist with projects through governments, schools and businesses.
One we especially liked was the “Street Store” initiative that was a partnership between the Salvation Army and Southern Adventist University. It was the third year such a store had been offered.
Held in front of the Salvation Army’s headquarters on McCallie Avenue, it offered homeless members of the community free clothes and a personal shopper to assist them in finding the perfect items – up to three outfits – as they tried on this and that. Shoppers also were provided with soup, sandwiches and entertainment.
Other Southern Adventist students assisted with tidying the house and grounds of Welcome Home Chattanooga, a comfortable shelter for homeless men and women who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness; socialized with Alzheimer’s clients at the Lantern at Morning Pointe; and assisted the widow of a pastor by clearing brush from her yard.
Students involved in the Worldview Initiative at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., participated in a service project at Bethlehem Center in Chattanooga.
Meanwhile, volunteers from the local Widows Harvest Ministries collaborated with members of a Birmingham church to work on the homes of several Chattanooga widows. They began their work Saturday, continued it Monday and plan to do additional work over the coming weeks.
The city of Chattanooga – through its Office of Multicultural Affairs in cooperation with nonprofits, churches and other organizations – had volunteers involved in more than 50 different projects in several areas Monday but concentrated its work in East Chattanooga, beginning at the East Chattanooga Youth and Family Development Center. The city also had projects at the Brainerd, Carver and Eastdale Youth and Family Development Centers.
Volunteers, among other things, did landscaping work, cleared debris, participated in trail maintenance, painted and deep cleaned. By mid-morning, they already were in the process of planting flower bulbs and taping off walls to be painted.
Other volunteers were assigned to visit apartments and provide tenants with fair housing law information.
The day was the city’s fourth “A Day on, Not a Day off” effort.
If we had our druthers, we’d dream up even more opportunities for Americans to give back to their fellow citizens. Israel has voluntary national service for those who cannot or do not wish to serve in the country’s military. Young, single Mormons often serve a voluntary assignment up to two years of proselytizing but also of church service, humanitarian aid and community service. And many private schools in the United States build community service into their curricula.
A mandated year in service would be magnanimous – and perfect for some people – but not practical for all. Three months following college graduation would give the newly degreed a dose of how those not as fortune as them live. Or perhaps such service could be worked out with employers. New hires would have to do a month of service projects before beginning their careers.
The aforementioned paragraph is all hypothetical, of course, but we believe service to others or to a beneficial – not partisan – community cause cannot help but change hearts. It forces participants to think of someone other than themselves, to see a greater good, to understand a broader goal.
In dedicated service, there is no room for bickering, no cause for seeing demographic differences, no time to dwell on what happened in the past.
It leaves less time – at the dawn of the King federal holiday – for the likes of a civil rights hero to question the president-elect’s legitimacy and that same president-elect to react by criticizing the civil rights hero’s inaction and results.
We must all want better than this – for each other.