Get Off Your Ass

If you've got Martin Luther King Day off, and are watching reruns; or watching the seconds tick away at your desk, you might as well take this opportunity to do something good. After all today is also called The National Day of Service. And since I can't get out of the office to service my community, I figured I'd show you how you can.

Here are some suggestions:

Hands On Greater Portland

It's not too early to sign up to sort books for children, toil in community gardens, paint public schools, preserve wetlands, or make care packages for troops (and more!).

Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East Build

Eradicate poverty by building simple, decent, affordable housing for families.

MLK Masks

This week, staff and community volunteers will be working with students, friends and familes to create plaster masks of all participants' faces.

Race in Portland

The event will begin with a film entitled Local Color about the history of race in Portland. After the film, students in the 4th and 8th grades will read short letters written to Martin Luther King Jr. about the historic 2008 election.

Be a Business Mentor

MicroMentor's mission is to help traditionally underserved entrepreneurs--women, minorities, recent immigrants, the poor, and the disabled--navigate the opportunities and challenges of growing a business.

Movie Night with NARAL!

Watch the documentary "The Education of Shelby Knox: Sex, Lies & Education."

Friends of Marquam Nature Park

Help with urban forest renewal.

Emergency Food Bank

Sort donated food or supervise other volunteers during day & evening hours.

Canvass for a Cause

At the bottom of your tax form there is an option of donating part, or all, of your refund to charity. Albertina Kerr Centers wants on that list. But to be included in the Oregon Personal Income Tax Booklet/Tax Form, it must collect 13,000 signatures.

(Some information was sniped from the www.mlkday.gov)