Deval Patrick: Honor ‘Dr. King’s example’

Deval Patrick: Honor ‘Dr. King’s example’

By Natalie Sherman  |   Sunday, January 16, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage
LENDING A HAND: Celtics star Ray Allen, left, and Gov. Deval Patrick, right, pack food for kids in need at Greater Boston Food Bank yesterday as part of Project 351.
Photo by Faith Ninivaggi

Gov. Deval Patrick stole a play from his presidential pal yesterday, declaring Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a day of service for the state.

The Patrick-Murray Inaugural Committee sent local sports heroes and students from 351 Massachusetts cities and towns to six volunteer sites in Boston yesterday. At the Greater Boston Food Bank, volunteers stuffed 4,000 backpacks with food for kids.

“Project 351 is designed to inspire, challenge, and motivate our next generation of learners and leaders to give back,” Patrick said in a statement. “As we serve together, we join thousands of citizens across the nation honoring Dr. King’s example.”

In 2009, the day before his inauguration, President Obama called for a national day of service to fall on the holiday named for the slain civil rights leader.

King was born Jan. 15, 1929. The federal holiday will be celebrated tomorrow.

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