Monday marked Martin Luther King Day, the holiday that honors the civil rights activist and his legacy.
Each year people across the country honor his memory by participating in the Martin Luther King Day of Service. Here in the Omaha metro, residents volunteered on their day off to help better the community.
"I just like helping out the community," said Parker Jensen, a UNO student. "We're having fun, helping out."
Across Omaha 455 volunteers helped out as part of UNO's service projects. The event helped out with five area organizations this year. The Martin Luther King holiday is the volunteer's largest service day during the year.
"I think volunteering is a good way to get those experiences," Jensen said. "Nothing is on the line except helping out an organization."
At the Henry Doorly Zoo, students were making toys for some of the animals.
"We depend on our volunteers," said Elizabeth Mulkerrin, the zoo's vice president of education. "These special projects really help us out and it really enriches the lives of our animals."
Across town at Nelson Mandela Elementary, volunteers fixed the bulletin boards in the cafeteria.
"We're helping them and we're doing service for them and we'll help them grow up and do the same for others," said Alex Theos, a UNO senior.
At the Omaha Home for Boys, volunteers organized the sheets, towels and bathmats to make it easier for the boys to find items when moving to a new home.
"I think that is cool to be out here doing things action-oriented to work towards that vision," said Anna Xin Wagemann, a volunteer at the site.
Dr. King once said "the time is always right to do the right thing" and that was the vision for today. On this Monday, your neighbors rolled up their sleeves, worked together and cleaned up their community, one bin at a time.
