On December 2, 2005, Secretary Ridge presented Patricia A. Jurgensen, CBP Supervisory Human Resource Specialist, with the Secretary's Award for Volunteer Service. Patricia was recognized for her outstanding volunteer work with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As a life member of the Auxiliary, she volunteers over 20 hours a week and travels over 5,000 miles a year responding to the needs of veterans and their families. Community service work, like that of Patricia Jurgensen’s, embodies the spirit of community service that Dr. King advocated.

Photo Credit: The King Center

CBP poster issued to commemorate Martin Luther King Day 2005.

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love,” said Dr. King.

Patricia has experienced greatness. “It’s a very tender moment when you can get a veteran in a nursing home to smile or see you from one hospital visit to the next; their morale improves simply because someone took the time and interest to let them know they are not forgotten by the American people,” Patricia said. She has a deep appreciation for veterans who gave a portion of their lives to keep this country and its citizens safe.

Volunteerism or community service is about using your talents and skills to assist those in need at any level in our society. Dr. King inspired people to take action in their communities by promoting partnerships and building bridges between disparate groups to improve the quality of life for all Americans. During this holiday, not only do we celebrate Dr. King’s life, we also acknowledge and remember the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America, a man who laid the groundwork and was one of the principal cultural architects for America’s future.

Every CBP employee has answered our nation's call to public service, and many employees generously donate their talent and personal time to their communities. Throughout the month of January, organizations across the country planned community activities and events to honor Dr. King. The beneficiaries of these activities and events will be those citizens who are in need of kindness and caring.

On Monday, January 17, 2005, and throughout the year, honor Dr. King’s legacy through community service. Devote some of your time and talent to improve the lives of those around you. You can volunteer at a local military or Veterans hospital, homeless shelter, or food bank. You can read to a child or a person in a nursing home, collect clothes for a shelter, or help make repairs to a needy citizen’s home. Whatever volunteer activity you choose to do – you’ll honor the legacy of Dr. King and you’ll receive the gift of greatness that comes from helping others. For a list of volunteer opportunities in your community during Dr. King’s holiday, or throughout January, visit The King Center web-site at www.thekingcenter.org or connect to the site through the EEO Intranet web page.