Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is quoted as once saying, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’ ”
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first observed as a federal holiday on Jan. 20, 1986. It’s observed on the third Monday of January every year and is seen as “a day on, not a day off.” That means, while schoolchildren and many workers get a three-day weekend, they’re encouraged to spend the extra day giving back to the community in some way to honor Luther’s legacy.
On Monday, there are several service opportunities for people in Vancouver. These activities are outside and require volunteers to wear clothing that’s appropriate for the weather and the work, including long pants and closed-toe shoes. All necessary tools will be provided at the volunteer sites.
• Help clean up the beach and remove non-native plants near the Water Resources Education Center, at 4600 S.E. Columbia Way. Volunteers will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the water center. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call 360-487-7111 for more details.
• Columbia Springs has several on-site projects planned for Monday. The nonprofit operating the natural area helps people learn about the environment through field studies, projects, day camps and community events. Groups larger than five people need to preregister by emailing volunteer@columbiasprings.org. Volunteers should meet at 9 a.m. at Columbia Springs, 12208 S.E. Evergreen Highway.
• At 9 a.m., the Washington Conservation Corps will host a work party at the Old City Cemetery, They will pick up trash, pull weeds, clean headstones and rake leaves. Meet at the cemetery, at East Mill Plain and Grand boulevards.
• Volunteers are needed to help remove English ivy, Himalayan blackberries and other invasive species to protect trees in Blandford Canyon. Volunteers should meet at 915 MacArthur Blvd. at 9 a.m. There will be snacks and coffee. To register to volunteer, contact Sunrise O’Mahoney at sunrise@vancouverwatersheds.org or 360-852-9189.
• Want to beautify Father Blanchet Park? Meet at 9 a.m. at the park, at Birmingham Way and Louisiana Drive, to help remove ivy, trash and weeds.
Can’t make it on Monday? A couple of service projects are scheduled for the weekend.
• On Saturday, people can volunteer to plant trees with Friends of Trees. The trees will beautify the Burton Ridge, Ellsworth Springs, Forest Ridge, Marrion, Meadow Homes, Oakbrook, Ogden and Vancouver Heights neighborhoods. Volunteers are asked to wear weather-appropriate clothing and arrive at Evergreen Bible Church, 9600 E. Mill Plain Blvd., at 8:45 a.m. There will be coffee and breakfast treats. At the end of the planting, there will be a potluck lunch for the volunteers. For more information, call Jerry or Randi at 503-595-0213 or visit www.friendsoftrees.org.
• People can help at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation’s three-day used book sale Bookapalooza. Volunteers will help sort, stock and sell books at the sale held at Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Headquarters, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Volunteers are needed from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, as well as for two Saturday volunteer shifts: from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. Any volunteer younger than 16 must be with a parent or adult chaperone, and those younger than 18 need to bring a youth volunteer release form. To sign up to volunteer, contact Sherry Braga at 360-906-5075 or volunteer@fvrl.org. Visit www.new.fvrl.org/volunteer for a list of ongoing volunteer opportunities.
