News Release
GOVERNOR AND VOLUNTEERS TO HONOR DR. KING WITH PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE
Martz to Join Helena Students for Diversity Fair
1/14/2004
Kris Goss
406-444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
Martz to Join Helena Students for Diversity Fair
HELENA - Governor Judy Martz, volunteers, and the Governor's Martin
Luther
King Commission will be honoring Martin Luther King Day as a "day on,
not a
day off" for Montana on Monday, January 19, 2004. Students, parents,
teachers, and other volunteers will participate in service projects
across
Montana.
"Honoring Martin Luther King Day is an opportunity to reflect on the
impact
we can have our community," stated Governor Martz. "We in Montana are
very
familiar with the notion of civic involvement. Our communities were
built
on a spirit of cooperation where people helped one another. I'm pleased
to
say that work ethic remains as a way of life for most Montanans."
Governor Martz will be participating in the United Way Martin Luther
King
Jr. Day Diversity Carnival on January 19th, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the
Helena Middle School. Children grades kindergarten to 8th grade, with
their
parents, will take part in games, crafts, food, and other activities to
learn about Dr. King's life and how his message influences important
organizations in our community.
The Martin Luther King Commission has been working with VISTA and
AmeriCorps
Members who have organized special service projects and events in nine
communities across Montana. These community-wide service projects
encourage
community members to volunteer and reflect on the meaning of Martin
Luther
King Day.
"We as a people must remember the struggle, celebrate the progress, and
act
to serve the needs of each community," said Rev. Phillip Caldwell, of
Great
Falls who serves as the Chair of the Governor's Martin Luther King
Commission, which has been encouraging communities to organize the day's
activities.
A national survey released in December showed volunteerism had
increased 6%
during 2003. Based on these data it is estimated that over 200,000
Montanan's are actively involved with volunteering in their community
and
will contribute over 15 million hours of service this year.
"We need to celebrate our accomplishments and let the rest of the
country
know that Montana is a state with not only beautiful scenery but we are
also
blessed with a citizenry of beautiful people," Governor Martz said. "We
have
friends who will reach out to help their neighbor, school or
community."
A list of the statewide activities follows.
*******************************************
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Service Plans for January 19, 2004
AmeriCorps members and VISTA's across Montana are planning a special
day of
community service in their respective regions on January 19 to celebrate
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.
There are a number of activities occurring across the state to honor Dr.
King's message of service. AmeriCorps members and VISTA's are
coordinating
these projects, with support from the Governor's Office on Community
Service
and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
These community-wide service projects encourage community members to
volunteer and reflect on the meaning of Martin Luther King Day.
Billings:
Contacts: Alison Whyte, PRC VISTA, (406) 690-0472,
alw10@alumnimail.albion.edu
Lindsay Bodack, MT Faith-Health Coop VISTA, (406) 256-7796,
lindsaybodack@yahoo.com
Lindsay Flom, Montana Technology Corps, (406) 657-2094,
lindsflom@yahoo.com
Partners:
United Way, ACLU Montana, Montana Center on Disabilities, local high
schools
Project: Activities include:
The United Way and the Montana Center on Disabilities will recruit and
coordinate youth volunteers an effort to renovate community organization
buildings in the City of Billings, including Head Start and the Boys and
Girls Club.
Bozeman:
Contacts: Allen Gallant, MTCC VISTA, (406) 994-6902,
gallant13@yahoo.com
Jason Jimmerson, Montana Campus Corps, (406) 994-6902,
jasonjimmerson@yahoo.com
Kelsey Prill, MT Legal Services VISTA, (406) 476-6982,
kprill@mtlsa.org
Partners:
Montana State University, Bozeman High School Leo and Key Clubs, Boys &
Girls Club of Bozeman, Circle K of MSU, Montana Human Rights Network,
Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association, the Pluralism Project, the
Salvation
Army, Gallatin Valley Food Bank, Bozeman Public Library
Project: Activities include:
A warmth drive to collect new and "gently worn" hats, gloves, and
scarves
for the needy will take place, with collection points across the
Gallatin
Valley community. The Boys and Girls Club of Bozeman will coordinate a
mural
painting opportunity for volunteers, centered on the theme of "I Have a
Dream." The Bozeman Public Library to help coordinate and advertise an
evening of reflection for the city of Bozeman, with speakers on
diversity,
and song celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy.
Butte:
Contact: Brad Springer, MT Legal Services VISTA, (406) 490-6756,
bspringe@mtlsa.org
Partners:
Safe Space (local women's shelter), Montana Legal Services Association,
Montana Campus Corps, Montana Tech
Project Activities include:
The Jacobs House in Butte, a building on the National Historic Register,
will receive much needed restoration work, including scraping and
painting
the interior. Currently, the building houses resources for domestic
violence
victim's support groups; and low-income legal services.
Great Falls:
Contacts: Dannette Fadness, Montana Campus Corps, (406) 791-5233,
dannettef@hotmail.com
Charles Ostrander, Montana Technology Corps, (406) 454-0554,
aamonbc@hotmail.com
Partners:
University of Great Falls, For the Children Coalition, Helping Hands,
Montana Technology Corps, Boys and Girls Club of North Central Montana,
Foster Grandparents, Cascade County Elementary schools, Head Start,
Agape
Center, Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, Mount Olive Church
Project Activities include:
The University of Great Falls will host a bell-ringing ceremony
followed by
a Native American Prayer and Dance. After the ceremony, there will be a
number of service projects in community, including aid to the elderly
with
household chores; a diversity book reading for students; and clothing
and
food collection. Later in the evening, a celebration will take place at
the
University, highlighted by dramatic readings of King's speeches and a
performance by the Mount Olive Choir.
Helena:
Contact: Shannon Stober, PRC VISTA Leader, (406) 444-3925,
sstober@state.mt.us
Partners:
United Way, Carroll College, local VISTAs and AmeriCorps members, God's
Love
Shelter, Helena Middle School, First National Bank, Civic Center
Project Activities include:
The Helena Middle Scholl will host a warmth drive to collect coats,
blankets, gloves, etc for Gods Love Shelter; a Diversity Carnival run by
local volunteers focusing on diversity education for children, as it is
relevant to life in Montana; and a mural project opportunity for youth
to
creatively express their impressions from the day. The mural will be
displayed at First National Bank, and the Civic Center.
Lewistown:
Contact: Alice Edwards, Homeland Security VISTA, (406) 538-8118,
alicevo@msn.com
Partners:
Boys and Girls Club of North Central Montana, Lewistown Skaters
Association,
Montana Technology Corps, local AmeriCorps and VISTA members, AmeriCorps
alumni, Lewistown Library, Key Club, Youth Mentor Program, and Disaster
and
Emergency Services, Lewistown Parks and Recreation Department
Project Activities include:
A fundraiser involving hands-on participation and service from local
youth
will take place to raise funds to enhance the facilities at the local
skate
park, including a roller-skating activity, a bake sale and/or a dance.
The
youth of the Boys and Girls Club, Key Club, and Youth Mentor program
will
spearhead a book drive to benefit our troops abroad.
Miles City:
Contact: Jerica-Lee Bell, (406) 874-6150,
jerica-lee.bell@spo.milescc.edu
Partners:
Custer County Food Bank; Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
members,
the College's Multicultural Club, Student Senate, Health Occupations
Students of America (HOSA)
Project Activities include:
Community and AmeriCorps members will work with the Custer County Food
Bank;
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) members; and the College's
Multicultural Club, Student Senate, and Health Occupations Students of
America (HOSA) group to collect personal care items for those less
fortunate.
Missoula:
Contacts: Heather Tomlins, MTCC VISTA, (406) 243-2586,
heather.tomlins@mso.umt.edu
Emily White, MTCC VISTA, (406) 543-3550, emily@homeword.org
Rob Snow, PRC VISTA, (406) 543-9205, rasnow@mcps.k12.mt.us
Partners:
Points of Light Foundation, Western Montana Volunteer Center, The
University
of Montana, Montana Campus Compact, Poverello Center, Salvation Army,
Habitat for Humanity of Missoula, American Red Cross, Boys and Girls
Club,
Goodwill, Missoula Aging Services, Clark Fork Coalition, Campfire Boys
and
Girls, Easter Seals
Project Activities include:
In partnership with the Points of Light Foundation, the Western Montana
Volunteer Center and the Office for Civic Engagement at the University
of
Montana are honoring the "Extra Mile" pathway memorial being
constructed in
Washington, DC by recruiting volunteers to serve at 12 different sites
around Missoula in an effort to honor different Americans memorialized
by
the new monument. Sites include Poverello Center, Salvation Army,
Habitat
for Humanity, American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club, Goodwill,
Missoula
Aging Services, Clark Fork Coalition, Campfire Boys and Girls, and
Easter
Seals. Activities will be followed by a reflection workshop.
# # #
Kris Goss
Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
