2011 MLK Day mini-grants fund service projects across Michigan

The Michigan Community Service Commission, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Michigan Campus Compact, and Volunteer Centers of Michigan today announced the distribution of $15,000 in mini-grant funds to support 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service projects across the state this January. Thirty organizations from across Michigan received the funds to coordinate service projects that tackle critical challenges in their communities; including education, economic opportunity, supporting veterans and military families, health, clean energy and environmental stewardship, disaster preparedness, and public safety. Grants range in value from $200 to $1,000. ''Although small amounts, these funds will support critical components of 30 MLK Day service projects in Michigan,'' said Kyle Caldwell, President and CEO of Michigan Nonprofit Association. ''Now these organizations can afford the necessary supplies and resources to implement projects that will make a difference in their communities.'' The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was initiated by Congress in 1994 and has been developed beyond a federal holiday honoring Dr. King into a national day of community service. In honor of this special day, thousands of service projects will be planned across the country grounded in Dr. King's teachings of nonviolence and social justice. The 2011 MLK Day occurs on Monday, January 17. ''We encourage everyone to find a way to serve in honor of the 2011 MLK Day,'' said Paula Kaiser VanDam, Executive Director of the Michigan Community Service Commission. ''Several of our mini-grant recipients are currently seeking volunteers. If you're interested in serving, visit www.mlkday.gov to search for opportunities in your area.'' The 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service mini-grant funds were made possible thanks to generous contributions from the Michigan Community Service Commission, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Michigan Campus Compact, and Volunteer Centers of Michigan in an effort to engage more volunteers in national days of service. Thanks to these mini-grants, hundreds of Michigan citizens will be engaged as volunteers this January. Mini-grants were awarded to the following local organizations: East Lansing, Michigan State University - Residential College in Arts and Humanities, $500, Students will travel to Detroit to renovate an urban greenhouse on Monday, January 17. Lansing, Arts Council of Greater Lansing, $517, Local youth and the community will join together on Monday, January 17 to create an uplifting public mural commemorating Dr. King's legacy. Lansing, Greater Lansing African American Health Institute, $250, The 2011 MLK Day will kick-off a year's worth of events to educate the community on health. A health fair will be held on Saturday, January 15. Additional information about the 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service can be found at www.michigan.gov/mcsc or www.mlkday.gov . Copyright © 2011 State of Michigan Published: Thu, Jan 13, 2011

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