Off on MLK Day? Use it to volunteer

Are you looking for a way to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Well there are a variety of volunteer opportunities in the Triangle on Monday.

Posted 2:36 p.m. Jan 13, 2012 — Updated 5:35 p.m. Jan 13, 2012

Kathy Hanrahan

Are you looking for a way to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Well there are a variety of volunteer opportunities in the Triangle on Monday:

The United Way of the Greater Triangle has a list groups participating in the 2012 Triangle MLK Day of Service:

Durham Signature Project - More than 200 volunteers will help with a variety of projects including: assembly of homeless hygiene kits, computer drop off and cleaning, book drive sorting and writing letters. The event is from 9 a.m. - noon at Bay 7 of the American Tobacco Campus.
Teen Room Beautification - The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Durham is in need of 5-10 volunteers to help beautify the Teen Room at the Club. Many activities will be available, including cleaning and painting. Lunch will be provided. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
Building Beautification - Freedom House Recovery Center in Chapel Hill is in need of four volunteers to paint the inside of one of the buildings on campus. Lunch will be provided. All volunteers must be 14 years of age or older to participate.
Preparing Mailings - Genesis Home, which is located in Durham, needs up to 20 volunteers to assist them in preparing mailings for their annual report. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
Painting Projects - Healing with CAARE, an agency in Durham, is in need of 10 volunteers to assist with some painting projects on MLK Day. Volunteers are needed to help with painting, cleaning, etc. their 15 bed dormitory for Homeless Veterans. They will also need volunteers to help paint the Recovery Clubhouse (two rooms). Lunch will be provided. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older to participate.
Deliver Hot Meals - Chapel Hill-Carrboro Meals on Wheels is looking for a few volunteers to assist with meal deliveries. Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals at lunchtime to those who are unable to provide a meal for themselves due to age, disability or a health issue. They serve nine routes and are looking for nine people to accompany their volunteers on their routes, while assisting with meal delivery. Lunch will be provided. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
Winter Clean - The Boys and Girls Clubs of Johnston County, the Selma Unit, is in need of six volunteers to assist the Club and its members with winter cleaning projects. Volunteers are needed to disinfect and clean the Boys and Girls Club of Johnston County in order to help keep germs down and protect the health of the youth served at the Club. All volunteers are welcome.
Playground Face Lift - Method Child Development Center, which is located in Raleigh, needs five volunteers to assist in giving their playground a face lift. Volunteers are needed to build a bridge in the sandbox, as well as power wash the equipment and spring clean the center. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
Helping Wake County Seniors - The Center for Volunteer Caregiving, which is located in Cary, invites you to honor Dr. King's Legacy and become a volunteer by attending an orientation to help Wake County seniors, adults with disabilities and family caregivers. Provide weekly or monthly help with transportation. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to participate.
Johnston County Signature Project - United Way of the Greater Triangle is in need of 50 volunteers to lend a helping hand in Johnston County. Volunteers are needed to conduct a diaper drive, underwear drive, and clothing drive. Volunteers are encouraged to bring the items with them on the Day of Service. Lunch will be provided. The event is being held from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Pizazz Thrift Store.
TBB-NC Training and Outreach - MDC is seeking 25 volunteers to be trained as counselors for The Benefit Bank of North Carolina (TBB-NC) to build the volunteer capacity of TBB-NC sites in Durham. Volunteers will be trained to use TBB-NC, a web-based service used by community-based organizations to help clients complete benefit applications. After training, teams of trained volunteers will deploy to TBB-NC sites across Durham to complete applications for eligible clients. If able, volunteers are encouraged to bring laptops. Lunch will be provided.
Orange County Signature Project - United Way of the Greater Triangle is in need of 500 or more volunteers to lend a helping hand. Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of projects including: assembly of health kits, birthday kits, and school kits, shoe sorting and clothes sorting. Computer literacy training sessions will also be conducted during the Day of Service. Help is also needed with the construction of saw horses and picnic tables. Children are encouraged to create Valentines for active military and veterans. Lunch will be provided. Address to location will be provided upon confirmation. Volunteers are encouraged to donate new and gently used books and blankets. Please bring the items with you on the Day of Service. The event is being held from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill.
Wake County Signature Project - More than 100 volunteers will help with a variety of projects including: assembly of homeless hygiene kits, book drive sorting, outdoor environment labor for playground area, writing letters and creating valentines for veterans and active military. Volunteers are encouraged to donate new or gently used books and/or non-perishable food items. The event is from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at White Plains Children's Center.

Go to the United Way's website to sign up to help these groups.

In addition to volunteering, the United Way is also using Monday as a time to help put together kits for the homeless and less fortunate. The six kits being assembled are hygiene, baby, school, military, birthday and backpack buddies. All of these kits will be given to those agencies and people in need. Donations are needed in order to put the kits together on Monday.

For a list of items still needed, go to the United Way's website.

If Monday swings around and you still want to volunteer but haven't signed up to do anything, you can still help.

The American Red Cross's Triangle Chapter is in need of blood donors and will be at the following locations on Monday:

8301 Bandford Way

Raleigh, NC 27613

Time: 2:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

100 N Peartree Lane

Raleigh, NC 27610

Time: 2:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

3700 Regency Pkwy

Cary, NC 27518

Time: 1:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.