Living the dream: Volunteers honor a legendary man through service projects on the national holiday

By Christina Lent

The Beaverton Valley Times, Jan 24, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Jonathan House / The Times

Volunteers at the Beaverton Community Center made special greeting cards for homebound seniors Monday as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day service projects across the region.

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Malcolm and Sandy Hodge were looking for a meaningful way to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day with their two daughters, Cali, 11, and Elise, 9.

They found an ideal volunteer opportunity through the United Way and Hands On Greater Portland’s MLK Day Celebration Through Service event.

The Hodges were among 240 people who participated at one of 14 community service projects across the region Monday, two of which took place in Beaverton.

“I liked the idea of having a day of community service instead of just having a day off,” Sandy Hodge said. “We were able to find a family friendly project that we could all do together.”

The Hodge family joined a group of 20 volunteers at the Beaverton Community Center and spent the afternoon creating personalized greeting cards for homebound seniors. The cards will be added to meal packages delivered to seniors through Loaves and Fishes, The Meals-On-Wheels People.

Elise carefully cut green triangles and pink squares out of construction paper to decorate a bright yellow card featuring a puppy picture.

“I want it to make them happy,” the fourth-grader said.

Across the way, Elise’s older sister and father each added completed creations to a growing pile of letters and cards offering warm wishes.

“It makes me really happy to be here,” Cali said. “I feel like I’m helping somebody.

“I hope when they get my card, it will help make their day.”

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