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Children honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day
"The national day of service is recognized by the U.S. government, and it's a great opportunity to instill value in our kids to be servants to each other," said Kamilah Dozier, site supervisor for the Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark. King sought to forge a common ground on which people from all walks of life could join together to address important community issues. The civil rights leader died 40 years ago, but the courage and sacrifice that exemplified his life have left a lasting legacy. "He died for something he considered bigger than himself- that's a great lesson for kids," Dozier said. Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act in 1994 to honor the selfless man and encourage people to mirror his commitment through philanthropic activities. "Martin Luther King gave great speeches and he tried to make the world a better place," said Shaun Babcock, a second grader at Walnut Canyon Elementary School and member of the Boys & Girls Club. Shaun was preparing to sort food at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry in downtown Moorpark. "He's special because he fought for the rights of African-American people," said Elisha Edwards, who attends fifth grade at Arroyo West Elementary School. Dozier and the children walked from the Boys & Girls Club on Casey Road to the Food Pantry on Flinn Avenue and held signs reflecting King's efforts in the 1960s to establish civil rights for all. "King wasn't just about equal rights for AfricanAmericans, but about social justice everywhere," Dozier said. "His legacy was deep and amazing. He still impacts me on a day-to-day basis because the self-sacrifice he made changed the world." Dozier is happy to share King's principles with children at the Boys & Girls Club. "It takes courage to stand up for something right and suffer the consequences," she said. |
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