"A day on, not a day off"

There seems to be no shortage of bad news these days. From local and national budget crises to home foreclosures and job loss, our country and communities are falling on hard times. But we here in the central valley do have one reason to smile. While the rest of the country is experiencing record-cold winters, we have sunny skies and warm days. Spring seems to have come early to Sacramento.

Tomorrow is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which means no mail, no school, and, for many of us, no work. But did you know MLK Day is also a national day of service? We have holidays that celebrate our country, our families, and the past and present service of our military, but MLK Day of Service is an opportunity to help our neighbors and strengthen our communities. To nature, spring means renewal and a fresh start after the harsh winter. Let's join the weather and celebrate spring early this year by coming together to renew the American spirit in our communities. Tomorrow's 64 and sunny forecast should help us all celebrate this year's MLK theme, "a day on, not a day off."

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Volunteer with an organized service project. Last year 500,000 people across the country participated, a record. We can set a new record this year, perhaps even doubling the participation. Here are some great websites for finding local events: http://www.handsonsacto.org  and  http://usaservice.org/content/home

• Take a walk around your neighborhood and pick up any trash you see. You can still volunteer without joining a group and make a difference in your local community.

• Give to a local food bank. Drop off items in those bins at the grocery store, or visit the national food bank website, http://feedingamerica.org.

• Give items to charity. With spring comes spring-cleaning. Clean out a closet and give your unwanted items to a local charity. This website, http://www.thethriftshopper.com will help you find a local thrift store. And no need to sift out for-profit stores, because only charity-driven stores are listed. Do you have larger items that aren't accepted by thrift stores? Donate these items through http://www.freecycle.org and give them to a local family.

•  If you are too busy or unable to volunteer, the wallet also works. You can easily donate a few dollars to a charity you believe in. This is especially important these days as a bad economy means less philanthropy. Some of the best-rated charities (in terms of money management) are listed here http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html. Do you listen to/watch public radio/tv? NPR and PBS always need your support. Visit http://www.npr.org and http://www.pbs.org for single or monthly contributions.

• Call, write, or visit a friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while. You can renew a friendship or lift a friend's spirits. There are a lot of grandparents out there who would love to chat.

If you have any suggestions, please share them in a comment. What are your plans for MLK Day?