Mayor Announces Grants For King Holiday Service Projects, Urges Us To Honor Dr. King Through Volunteerism, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2007

For More Information:
Barbara Fuqua, Chair, City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Commission, 331.7903
Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, Community and Family Resources, City of Bloomington, 349.3471
Maria Katrien Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3569

Mayor Announces Grants For King Holiday Service Projects, Urges Us To Honor Dr. King Through Volunteerism
New Online System Enables Organizers and Volunteers to Register for Projects

Bloomington, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that the City of Bloomington's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission has awarded grants totaling $8,265 to local organizations for "A Day On! Not A Day Off" volunteer service projects on the King holiday. Kruzan urges citizens to honor Dr. King by participating in one of the day's many community-centered activities.

"Martin Luther King, Jr, Day presents an excellent opportunity for us all to enhance Community Condition and Collaborations," Kruzan said. "And it's easy to get involved. Individuals and groups can simply register for projects with a new online system that links people to community service opportunities."

The City's Martin Luther King Commission received a $5,000 grant from Service for Peace, which received funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Additional local support for service activities came from Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University-Bloomington, Monroe County United Way, the City's Volunteer Network, the City's Community and Family Resources Department and the Office of the Mayor.

"All of the Service for Peace funding as well as the local funds are being allocated to the following local groups by the King Commission to pay for materials and supplies used by volunteers," Kruzan said. "We are very grateful to Service for Peace and the Corporation for National and Community Service, and also to our local partners for making these opportunities possible."

Grant recipients and funds allocated (listed in alphabetical order) are:

1. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church - $250
2. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana - $250
3. Bloomington High School South Black Culture Club - $150
4. Bloomington Housing Authority - $150
5. Boys and Girls Club, Crestmont - $200
6. Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington, Lincoln Street - $200
7. Buskirk-Chumley Theater - $75
8. City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control Shelter - $75
9. Community Justice and Mediation Center - $125
10. Community Kitchen of Monroe County, Inc. - $250
11. CUBAmistad - $75
12. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Dr. Betty Shabazz Academy - $250
13. Edgewood High School Honor Society - $200
14. Girls Incorporated of Monroe County - $200
15. Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County - $250
16. Hinkle-Garton Farmstead - $100
17. Hoosier Hills Food Bank - $250
18. Indiana University Department of Language Education - $100
19. Indiana University Student Activities Office - $75
20. Indiana University Student Personnel Association - $50
21. Indiana University Volunteer Students Bureau - $400
22. Ivy Tech Community College Student Government Association - $150
23. Lakeview Elementary School - $125
24. Martha's House, Inc. - $200
25. McDoel Gardens Neighborhood Association - $100
26. Middle Way Transitional Housing Program - $200
27. Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project - $200
28. Monroe County Chapter American Red Cross - $75
29. Monroe County Public Library Children's Services - $100
30. Monroe County Step Ahead, Inc. - $200
31. Monroe County United Ministries - $200
32. Monroe County YMCA - $100
33. Mother Hubbard's Cupboard - $115
34. Musical Arts Youth Orchestra - $75
35. My Sister's Closet of Monroe County, Inc. - $250
36. Namaste Sacred Arts - $75
37. Nur Festival Foundation - $75
38. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Alpha Alpha Chapter - $200
39. Opportunity House - $75
40. People and Animal Learning Services, Inc. (PALS) - $100
41. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) America Reads Initiative - $150
42. Rogers Elementary Creek/Love Class - $150
43. Shalom Community Center - $250
44. Sunflower Cooperative Daycare - $100
45. Templeton Elementary - $200
46. Templeton Shalom Family Resource Center - $100
47. Unitarian Universalist Church/Congregation Beth Shalom - $150
48. Unitarian Universalist Church Prison Ministry - $150
49. University Elementary School - $125
50. WFHB Bloomington Community Radio - $250
51. Your Art Here - $150
52. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Upsilon Kappa Zeta Chapter - $200

TOTAL AWARDED - $8,265.

Volunteers are needed for many of these service projects on the King holiday. Kruzan encourages Bloomington and Monroe County residents to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy on January 15, 2007, by coming together to enhance our community.