Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism Announces Martin Luther King Day of Service Impact

More than 1,000 Marylanders Rise for MLK Day of Service, 17 Sites Across the State

Annapolis, MD – The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism today announced the impact of Martin Luther King Day of Service, a national event led by the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS), after Governor Larry Hogan released a Public Service Announcement encouraging civic engagement through service and volunteerism by making their Martin Luther King Jr. holiday “a day on, not a day off.” More than 1,000 Marylanders volunteered at 17 AmeriCorps sites across the state, amounting to over 2,200 reported service hours.

CNCS is a federal agency that leads service, volunteering, and grant-making efforts in the United States, and recognized Baltimore as one of the Top Three AmeriCities in recruiting AmeriCorps members who “get things done.”

Steven McAdams, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives at the 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Dinner in Anne Arundel County to honor Dr. King’s legacy.

“When we stand united, we serve others as a powerful force – steadfast and ready to overcome any challenge,” said Steven McAdams, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives at the 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Dinner in Anne Arundel County to honor Dr. King’s legacy. “As Governor Hogan has said, we should never lose sight of the values of unity and of serving others together, and do our best to integrate these into all we do.”

Nicki Fiocco, Director of the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism, joins A STAR! In Western Maryland making Glories Happy Hats and presenting Governor’s Volunteer Certificates.

AmeriCorps members engaged citizens across Maryland. In Frederick, Maryland, A STAR! In Western Maryland welcomed 317 volunteers to organize 77 blankets, 156 pillows, and 195 Glories Happy Hats for hospitalized children, and helped mail 138 cards to first responders.

“MLK Day of Service in Frederick is an example of how Maryland is leading through service,” said Nicki Fiocco, Director of the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism. “The inclusivity and accessibility of these projects brought AmeriCorps and community members together to share an experience of service where diverse groups and individuals are united for a common goal to serve others – this is the spirit of the day.”

In 2020, additional AmeriCorps programs join one of the first AmeriCorps programs in the country, Civic Works, to serve the Baltimore community.

In Baltimore, Civic Works – a nonprofit running one of the first AmeriCorps programs in the country – addressed environmental and educational needs by engaging more than 300 volunteers for 1000 service hours. Jayna Powell, Director of Volunteerism and Events, said that united volunteer efforts allow nonprofits to do larger projects and “let them know people believe in their mission and want to be a part of it.” Additional AmeriCorps programs – Urban Teachers, Baltimore Collegiate Teaching Fellows, and Baltimore Corps – joined Civic Works.

The AmeriCorps Latin American Youth Center served as part of Prince George’s County’s first county-wide MLK Day of Service.

In Adelphi, the Latin American Youth Center served more than 650 students and families for a full day of presentations and workshops addressing human trafficking, anti-bullying, and financial literacy. Their event was a part of Prince George’s County’s first county-wide MLK Day of Service, which served more than 1,200 students and families.

The Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) is an award-winning AmeriCorps program that engages young adults in extensive natural resource management and park conservation projects.

The Maryland Conservation Corps cleaned up the Anacostia River, removing 100 bags of trash and a mound of debris with 400 volunteers performing 1200 hours of service.

Governor Hogan is a champion of national and community service in Maryland and an advocate for unified volunteer efforts. For every dollar invested in national service, there is a nearly 4 times larger return to society in terms of higher earnings, increased output, and other community-wide benefits.