Citing the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s call to build a "beloved community," organizers of this year's King Day of Service said yesterday they expect a record number of volunteers for service projects throughout the Philadelphia area.
At a news conference at the National Constitution Center, Todd Bernstein, executive director of the 13th annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, said this year's program will enlist more volunteers on more projects than ever.
"On Jan. 21, we expect a record turnout of 60,000 volunteers on 6,000 projects," Bernstein told a capacity audience in an auditorium inside the Constitution Center.
Bernstein said the theme of "the Beloved Community" was particularly relevant.
"We need to understand, in celebrating Dr. King's legacy, that it is the responsibility of everyone to make a difference," he said.
Mayor Nutter, who drew loud cheers as he joined Bernstein on stage, told the crowd, "All of us have an obligation and responsibility to serve."
Addressing an audience that included many school students and community activists, Nutter said, "There is one office bigger than all elective offices, and that is 'citizen.' "
"I want to encourage all of us to be 'citizen servants,' " the mayor said.
The area's signature project for the day of service will be at Germantown High School, where more than 3,000 volunteers are expected to spend the day on more than 40 projects, including painting a mural, cleaning, and preparing meals for the needy.
One of the activities at the school will be a town meeting on combating crime and violence. It will be hosted by the Institute for the Study of Civic Values and Philadelphia Fight, an organization devoted to prisoner reentry projects.
Bernstein said that the number of volunteers has increased each year.
"It's turned into a movement," Bernstein said of Martin Luther King's Birthday. "It's important that we take Dr. King's living inspiration and turn that into embracing his legacy through the great work of tens of thousands of citizens."
Nutter presented the 10th annual King Day of Service Harris Wofford Active Citizenship Award to community activist Sacaree Rhodes, who leads volunteers at night to feed the homeless and help them find shelter. Rhodes has also pushed for more minority inclusion at construction sites around Philadelphia.
The award is given to a person who makes a difference in their community year-round, officials said.
"Not only is Sacaree more than deserving, she's a friend, adviser and activist," Nutter said. "She is a truly relentless advocate for the most needy people."
Rhodes, who covered her face when her name was announced, said she was surprised to receive the honor. "I'm not accustomed to getting awards. I was knocked off my square, as we say up in the community."
Rhodes said she will spend the Day of Service with volunteers serving 1,000 meals to the homeless at the African American Museum in Center City.
Rhodes, who was raised in Wilmington, N.C., said that when she was growing up in the Jim Crow South, her grandmother told her, "When someone does you wrong, you should always holler about it."
"I've been hollering all my life about injustice. And I don't ever intend to stop hollering about injustice, about racism, about prejudice and poverty.
"I want to see young children of all colors turn around and holler, 'We're not going to accept any form of prejudice.' "
Bernstein urged organizations and individuals interested in volunteering to go to the group's Web site, www.mlkdayofservice.org or call 215-665-2475.