Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s idea that everyone can be great because everyone can serve is the backbone of this year's Day of Service, in honor of King himself. The UW has teamed up with many community sponsors this year, and it is expecting a record number of volunteers.

"The project is growing by leaps and bounds ... we are expecting around 1,400 volunteers this year," said Matthew Wojciakowski, community engagement coordinator for the Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center at the UW.

There is a two-front objective this year for the Day of Service: education and service.

Educational forums to discuss the issues at hand are taking place Tuesday through Thursday of this week.

The forums will address various issues involving the community. Forums are designed to help people understand their community and not only realize what they can do today to help, but what can be done for the future as well, said Michaelann Jundt, director of the Carlson Center.

"People just need to show up," Wojciakowski said.

The Day of Service will be on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 15. The day begins with a kick-off rally at 8 a.m. in the HUB Ballroom and the service projects will wrap-up about 3 p.m.

There are more than 64 different projects going on around the area, Wojciakowski said.

"There is a whole different variety in the way people will be serving," he said.

The UW is working with the United Way of King County's "Out of the Rain" campaign this year, and there will be a focus on Homelessness in the service projects as well as the forums.

Volunteers can still sign up for the service projects through Wednesday at the MLK Day of Service Web site: http://depts.washington.edu/mlkjr/registration.htm.

Volunteers from all over the community will be involved with this event.

"One thing I think is unique from other service days is that there is a nice combination of students, faculty, community members, alumni, family members ... it is really a diverse group," Jundt said.

The Alumni Association has made a large contribution to the Day of Service this year as well.

"The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is a great opportunity for students and alumni to work together in a truly meaningful way," said Paul Rucker, interim co-executive director for the UW Alumni Association.

"Serving our communities and making a difference is what being a Husky is all about, he said."

Reach reporter Celio Hunko at development@thedaily.washington.edu