A coalition of volunteers from the United States Embassy, the Coast Guard and the US Marines along with The Bahamas Methodist Habitat conducted a service project at the Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged yesterday in honour of civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Americans observed the MLK holiday named in honour of Dr. King who would have turned 85-years-old on January 15.

The day is used to encourage Americans to be of service to others in keeping the spirit of Dr. King alive.

“MLK Day is our national day of service and we dedicate some of our day off to serve,” said Neda Brown from the US Embassy. “We’re really excited that people were willing to take the day to come and serve.”

Twenty volunteers carried out repairs to the structures at the Oakes Field facility.

Executive Director of Eleuthera-based Bahamas Methodist Habitat Abraham McIntyre said it was important for his organisation to take part in the service project because it is committed to giving back.

“Any way that we can [we] partner with the community to really make a difference,” he said. “The embassy called us to be able to use their hands and as the saying goes ‘many hands make light work,’ and a lot of people are willing to serve but don’t always have the tools and we’re able to provide those tools, put the pieces together and a make a big impact at places like Persis Rodgers Home.”

Persis Rodgers is home to 24 residents who live at the facility 24-hours a day 365 days a year.

The home is a non-profit organisation and it is deeply challenged financially, said administrator Francis Ledee.

“It is so nice to be getting this kind of assistance that we so greatly need and the good thing about it is we didn’t have to dig deep into our own pockets,” she said.

Though an American holiday, Mrs. Ledee is hoping that the spirit of service is an ideal adopted locally and she called on local organisations to get involved and lend a hand.

“The local organisations have been good to us, but we can always use help and we want them to come and do that – help us out,” Mrs. Ledee said.