The Decatur City Commission presented the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Project with a special Hometown Hero Award. The project connects the community to the health, safety, and well-being of Decatur’s senior citizens, while literally building value in the neighborhood.
The project began as a partnership between the City of Decatur and the Decatur Preservation Alliance (DPA) in 2003 as a half-day project on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday with a little over 100 volunteers doing home repairs and yard work at 8 senior citizens’ homes. The DPA board initiated the project in order to help fixed- and low-income senior citizens who were unable to maintain their homes. DPA board member Robert Soens, Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson, and Volunteer Decatur Coordinator Lee Ann Harvey planned the first project.
Today the MLK Service Project is a 3-day weekend and in 2009, over 1,000 volunteers participated making significant repairs on 14 homes and doing yard work on an additional 18 homes.
Pictured after receiving the special award are Robert Soens, Elizabeth Wilson, Lee Ann Harvey, and Susan Cobleigh.
If you are interested in volunteering for the 2010 MLK, Jr. Service Project, email leeann.harvey@decaturga.com or call 678-553-6548.
