CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday was not a day off for people who gathered on Chicago's West Side for a day of service.
Hundreds of volunteers from several organizations and companies packed the auditorium at Dett Elementary School on West Monroe, to hear Americorps Volunteer Malcolm Mitchell Robbs kelp kick off a Martin Luther King Day event.
"I served, because at some point someone fought, someone marched, and someone died for my ability to be here today," Robbs said as the crowd applauded.
Among the dignitaries on hand, Governor Pritzkder, Mayor Lightfoot and both U.S. Senators, and Senator Dick Durbin apologized that he would not be volunteering this day as he had in the past.
"I wish I could stay longer, but Senator Duckworth and I have jury duty this week," he said.
Both senators were headed for Washington, D.C. for President Trump's impeachment trial.
Mayor Lightfoot tells MLK service that Dr. King “was a man of action” beyond the powerful words and great oratory. She thanks volunteers for being “people of action.” @WBBMNewsradio pic.twitter.com/IlCG550lhq
— Craig Dellimore (@CraigDellimore)
January 20, 2020 Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton, one of several top elected officials at the service, asked how many in the audience felt they got more out of serving than they gave. Many hands went up.
"This embodies the spirit of Unbutu. The idea that I am, because we are. That when I give, I get so much more. Why? Because my humanity is tied to your humanity," Stratton said.
MLK Service about to start at Dett Elementary School. Mayor Lightfoot waves. Also on stage, Governor Pritzker, Senators Duckworth and Durbin and more. @WBBMNewsradio pic.twitter.com/de7LywFPaJ
— Craig Dellimore (@CraigDellimore)
January 20, 2020 U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth warned that the federal government needs to keep encouraging such volunteer work.
"Too many people are turned away from service, because our national service organizations don't have the resources to provide the opportunities to everyone who wants to serve," she said.
