By Tierrah S., myclubmylife.com Teen Reporter, BGC of Los Angeles Harbor

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has been, and always will be the epitome of outstanding leadership, a role model in community service, and far more. He has shown us through hard work, dedication and the will to want to create a better situation, for not only blacks but all people. And that we as teens are all capable of making a change.

For that we honor him and pay homage to his efforts and unyielding devotion to his cause. Dr. King is renowned for his dream that is familiar to us all. We’ve all heard the stories, watched the movies and heard the speeches. And we believe in his dream!

That alone should make you want to get up and be the change in your community, to be that driving force behind the meanings of leadership, community service , and good deeds. Certainly Dr. King wouldn’t want us lounging about on any day, especially on the day that we celebrate his life when there are people out there with no homes, no beds to sleep in and little hope for the future. Our hard work, dedication, and selflessness can positively change someone’s life.

Community service is a way teens can make a difference and show that we care. Dr. King’s dream lives in each of us and what we do through community service uplifts others and helps keep that dream alive. Across the nation, Boys & Girls Clubs are recognized not only for impacting the lives of the youth they serve, but also for instilling in those youth a sense of civic responsibility. Young people who are active participants in their local and global community are on the way to becoming responsible, caring citizens.

The King Day of Service is a great opportunity for Club members of all ages and backgrounds to become involved in serving their local communities. Service projects can come in all shapes and sizes. This year's campaign is aligned around four major themes:

Education - activities that help prepare youth and teens to succeed academically. Sample service activities include book drives, school supply collections, book reading campaigns, etc.

Healthy Futures - activities that encourage increased physical activity and improved nutrition among youth and/or community members. Projects can include fitness days, community healthy fairs, nutrition education forums, etc.

Support for Military Families - activities that support the military veterans and their families. Projects can include making care packages for soldiers, greeting cards for military families, etc.

Promotion of Dr. King's Legacy - activities that educate, youth, teens and communities about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Projects can include Club assemblies, Dr. King promotional PSAs, etc.

So go get involved now! It's a "Day On," not a "Day Off!"