Yesterday, schools across the nation were closed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in remembrance of MLK Jr., the civil rights leader who preached the importance of service and equality.

While many view the holiday as a “day off,” members of the UW community pledged to make it a “day on” by volunteering and making a difference in the Seattle area.

Early Monday morning, more than 1,100 people met in the Husky Union Building to kick off the eighth annual MLK Day event hosted by the Carlson Center.

Volunteers received free white and purple T-shirts, buttons and breakfast provided by sponsors, which included the UW Book Store, UW Alumni Association, United Way, UW Student Activities and Union Facilities, and the UW Office of the President.

Political leaders like Rep. Jim McDermott of the Washington state Legislature and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels spoke about King’s legacy and commitment to service.

“I was very proud to see a black man win the democratic caucus in Ohio, and a woman win in Nevada,” Nickels said. “These are things we never thought we would get to see, and now history is being made before our eyes.”

University Provost Phyllis Wise remembers the civil rights movement well.

“It really inspired a whole generation of people to dream, but also to move beyond those words with action,” she said.

And on this day, action was present.

Some of the service projects consisted of removing invasive plants at parks, painting rooms at local shelters and packing lunches for the homeless.

UW sophomore Angela Kim volunteered at a retirement home with friends.

“I feel physically tired but it was more fun than I had expected,” she said. “We got a lot of compliments and one of the residents was so thankful, he even offered us beer — we, of course declined, but it was a moment I won’t forget.”

Kim said there is no better way to show love than serving other people. She plans to continue her volunteering at the retirement home by serving pancakes weekly to the elderly.

Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean of undergraduate affairs, thought the turnout was remarkable.

“This is the event that I am most proud of at our University,” he said. “A lot of people take pride in the UW’s advancements in research and people tend to pay less attention to those made in service. Today’s event is all about the University’s mission.”

Matthew Wojciakowski, the chief organizer of this event, and the Carlson Center are looking for future ways to keep the UW community connected through service.

“We would love to get more people from the University involved in seeking out meaningful service projects, spreading the spirit of service and community engagement and establishing a presence of giving and social change.”

[Reach reporter Chantal Anderson at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]