Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

12:31 p.m. • 5-25-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 72° F
  • Sun: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 75° F
  • Mon: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 80° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Published: 2013-01-18 04:01:00
Updated: 2013-01-18 23:57:22

To honor King, they pray, pack meals


Gov. Pat McCrory
Gov. Pat McCrory
print friendly

An annual observance by North Carolina state employees Friday marked the beginning of a long weekend celebrating the life of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Gov. Pat McCrory was the featured speaker Friday at the midday event at a downtown Raleigh church. He reminded the crowd that King would support those who are unemployed and homeless. 

"I believe our state, what we can do, is we have to make sure there's opportunity for everyone who studies hard, who works hard, and lives a life of high values," the governor told those in attendance.

"Then they can fulfill their potential. But we have to help them do it and give them the necessary tools to make it happen. And I think that is what Dr. King would be saying today too."

More Info     MLK Day of Service Events help families mark MLK Day this weekend

At Wake Tech Friday, students and faculty worked to package meals for the hungry. In about 90 minutes, they packed 10,000 meals made up of rice, soy and dehydrated vegetables to send to Stop Hunger Now.

"It makes me feel good, you know," said student Noah Boyd.

He was participating for the first time, but others had made it an annual event. 

Florence Thompson conceived of the idea four years ago. "It's a way of giving back, and paying it forward, supporting children around the world to have food to eat," she said.

"We could end world hunger and how great would that be." 

MLK holiday is Monday

King's federal holiday is Monday, and many more events are planned to honor his life and legacy in coming days.

The United Way of the Triangle organizes one of the Triangle's largest celebrations, the annual MLK Day of Service. Hundreds of volunteers across four counties will participate in projects that range from making baby blankets to CPR training.

The annual Martin Luther King Triangle Interfaith Breakfast, Monday at the Imperial Hotel in Research Triangle Park, is also a big draw. Rev. Dr. Ronald Smith, president of the Southern Union Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, will be the keynote speaker. McCrory is also on the agenda.

WRAL.com will offer live video of the speakers Monday beginning at 7 a.m.


42 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments VIEW ALL 42 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments
And this is the same person that wants to cut unemployment benefits.

"No article on race relations would be complete without a dozen Helmsinista Holdouts telling progressives how divisive they are." goldenosprey

Your derisive comment proves your own point that "progressives" ARE divisive.

"McCrory is using campaign funds to reward those on his cabinets that are not getting salaries. " free2b

Do you have a link, or is this speculation?

No article on race relations would be complete without a dozen Helmsinista Holdouts telling progressives how divisive they are.

well written, skell! I feel like the media doesn't help either. It's always white vs. minorities, males vs. females, rich vs. poor, dems vs. repubs...

When can we stop judging people at an individual level instead of generalizing whatever group they may be a part of?

View Comments VIEW ALL 42 COMMENTS

Political Video Picks

 
  • As crowds descend on Jordan Lake to swim, boat and fish over the Memorial Day weekend, environment groups are calling on state House…

  • Many longtime educators are up in arms over a provision in the Senate budget that would eliminate tenure for veteran teachers.

  • Both the House and Senate are controlled by Republicans, but House Republicans do not agree with all of the proposals put forward by…

  • President Barack Obama addresses the United States drone program and Guantanamo Bay prison in a national security speech from the…

  • President Barack Obama on Thursday defended America's controversial drone attacks as legal, effective and a necessary linchpin in an…

  • The N.C. Senate holds its final vote on its $20.6 billion state budget proposal for 2013-14.