JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) — Many residents who had Monday off for MLK Day worked in different ways.
Service projects were held throughout Jackson in honor of the late civil rights leader.
In South Jackson, Councilman Tyrone Hendrix organized a community cleanup. Volunteers went throughout the streets picking up things on the side of the road.
“We’re sending a call of action to members of the community to unite as one force and place the future of South Jackson into our own hands,” said Hendrix. “The power lies within each of us. We must be the change that we want to see and take a stand to honor and fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy and dream.”
They also helped with painting and cleaning up parks in the area.
There were several other service projects in the Metro.
Jackson State University students went to Blackburn Middle to help plant a garden. They also helped clean up debris and build flower beds.
Habitat For Humanity volunteers went to Kevin Garnett Court to help rehab some homes. After Hurricane Katrina damaged the Gulf Coast, Oprah’s Angel Network, and NBA basketball player Kevin Garnett sponsored 10 Habitat For Humanity Mississippi Capital Authority homes to be built. Some of the homes need repairs. About 50 volunteers spent MLK Day rehabbing three homes.
Also, the National Pan-Hellenic Council of the Metro delivered coats to Burlington Coat Factory. The donation is a part of the Warm Coats & Warm Hearts drive.
More than 250 Belhaven students volunteered around the Metro area in different service projects.
Port Gibson and the Claiborne County Branch of the NAACP held a parade to celebrate the day.
