By Laurie Hindman
Berthoud Recorder

Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to justice and equality for all Americans, regardless of race, creed, or gender. On Monday, Jan. 19, local communities will offer opportunities to celebrate that life, and the seven key values he demonstrated: courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service.

The Colorado Governor’s Commission on Community Service is encouraging citizens to honor Martin Luther King by participating in a day of service. The commission’s goal is to increase the number of service projects throughout the state that relate to Dr. King’s teachings. Ideas include working at a local food bank, assisting at a Habitat for Humanity project, or organizing/participating in a blood drive. Detailed information about service projects available on the Front Range can be found online at www.colorado.gov/gccsoin.

Colorado State University along with the Fort Collins and Loveland communities will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with several events on Jan. 19, 2009. The theme of this year’s celebration is “A Time for Change.” The annual march will begin at 11 a.m. in Old Town Square, Fort Collins and continue down College Avenue to Laurel Street, through the center of the CSU Oval. The march will then continue west on Isotope Drive, ending at the CSU Lory Student Center. Immediately following the march is guest speaker Dr. Denise Hall of the Foothills Unitarian Church.

Loveland’s 20th annual community celebration of Dr. King will take place at Thompson Valley High School on Monday evening at 7 p.m. Thompson School District Superintendent Ron Cabrera will be the Master of Ceremonies. There will be a performance by the “Soul Street Dance Company, a hip-hop group from Houston, Texas that incorporates different styles of street dance into an energetic performance. Student essay and art contest winners will be announced. Grades third through twelfth were invited to respond to the questions, “What does courage mean to you? How can you be courageous in creating positive change in your community?” Refreshments and community gathering follow the presentation.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.  And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.