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Martin Luther King Jr.
• Jan 17, 2020

'It doesn't take much to change a life'

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sacrificed his own life to make the world a more equal and just place.

That's why Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) and the late Senator Harris Wofford (D-PA), both colleagues of Dr. King in the Civil Rights movement, co-sponsored sponsored a bill in 1994 to turn Martin Luther King (MLK) Day into a Day of Service because they thought that was how their friend would have wanted it to be observed. Rep. Lewis, who recently announced he has late stage pancreatic cancer, continues to be a human rights leader and inspiration for his courage.

Today, MLK Day is the only federal holiday to receive the Day of Service designation, and many celebrate the holiday as a "day on instead of a day off" to commemorate Dr. King's legacy with volunteer activities. While September 11 is also a National Day of Service, it is not a federal holiday.

"As long as poverty, injustice and inequality persist, none of us can truly rest. It doesn’t take much to change a life, get in touch today and start making the difference," according to the website of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (aka The King Center), an organization established by his widow, the late Coretta Scott King, to continue the work of her slain husband.

TD encourages colleagues to consider volunteering

TD Bank encourages all colleagues to consider volunteering in their communities this MLK Day, Monday, January 20.

"I encourage everyone to explore how they can best commemorate MLK Day, a day where we honor Dr. King, and his commitment to equality and justice." said Girish Ganesan, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, TD Bank Group, and Head of Talent, TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank.

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