Martin Luther King Jr. Day inspires South Bay volunteers to pitch in

Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day is observed by many as a day on, not off.

CAMPBELL, Calif. (KGO) -- San Tomas Park in Campbell was the sight of communities coming together on Monday as many observed Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day as a day on, not off.

"One of Reverend King's multiple legacies has been to become civically engaged in your community," Supervisor Susan Ellenberg of District 4 said. "Regardless of your age, regardless of your resources everyone can do something."

RELATED: Bay Area honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day with several events
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That goal was achieved. More than one hundred volunteers showed up for the park beautification project at San Tomas. It was their way of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His day of service is meant to inspire, create solutions to social problem and bring neighborhoods closer to Dr. King's dream of a "Beloved Community."

The whole concept of the day may have been a lot for 4-year-old Calvin Hasbrook to grasp, but he knew he was there to help. He showed off his gardening skills to an ABC7 News crew.

Across town, another group of volunteers planted 32 new trees in San Jose.

PHOTOS: The legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen, date and location unknownnone

The National Civil Rights Museum, built around the motel where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968none

The balcony of the Loraine Hotel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated is seen and is now part of the The National Civil Rights Museumnone

The room at the Loraine Hotel which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. occupied the night before his assassinationnone

A model of the Martin Luther King National Memorial in seen in Washington, Tuesday, June 5, 2007none

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, sit with three of their four children in their Atlanta, Ga, home, on March 17, 1963none

The Martin Luther King Bridge, top, and Eads Bridge, bottom, both crossing the Mississippi River, are seen from East St. Louis, Ill.none

Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, right, and Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall pick up brushes and contribute to a mural of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.none

Martin Luther King, III, one of Martin Luther King , Jr.'s sonsnone

A Montgomery Sheriff's Department booking photo of The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. taken Feb 22, 1956none

The children of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott Kingnone

The Rev. Martin Luther King of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, holds news conference today March 26, 1964 at the capitalnone

Rev. Bernice Albertine King applauds as her mother, Coretta Scott King, speaks during The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Servicenone

Julian Bond and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. casting their ballots to fill Bond's vacant seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Atlantanone

An undated picture of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthplace, 501 Auburn Avenue N.E., Atlanta, Ga. Dr. King was born here, January 15, 1929none

A brace of plow mules drawing the farm wagon bearing the mahogany casket of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 9, 1968.none

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"It's amazing to be able to provide the education of environmental stewardship and the importance of planting trees and how it benefits the community," Briana Horta of Our City Forest said.

The benefits will be felt long after the holiday is over.

Click here to see how Dr. King is being honored here in the Bay Area and across the country.

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