It was an uncharacteristically cold and windy Monday morning in Los Angeles on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 21, 2019. Most families were bundled warmly in their homes, but 48 volunteers in I-CERV shirts huddled together at George Washington Carver Middle School to help the community. This event attracted over a thousand volunteers from dozens of corporations and nonprofits, evidenced by the colorful company shirts sported throughout the school campus. The day marked an annual tradition when I-CERV partners with LA Works to participate in a school beautification project in downtown Los Angeles.

After several inspirational speeches by L.A. Works board members, the Carver Middle School Principal, and NBA legend A.C. Green, the swarm of helpers formed into several groups to begin their activities. The I-CERV team split up into two groups. The first ventured off to picked up trash from neighborhoods surrounding the school, while the second group painted classrooms, hallways, and the indoor gymnasium. Volunteers as young as six years of age scouted the sidewalks for litter, as they walked in supervised groups along the busy streets. By the end of the clean-up, the collective LA Works team filled 306 bags of trash and transformed 30 classrooms with fresh coats of paint.

When asked what MLK Day means to her, 10th grader Jasmine Esmail replied, “MLK Day is a day to not only honor a civil rights activist but also to honor his legacy by a day of service. Known as ‘a day on, not a day off,’ a day of service means unity and strengthening the community in any way possible. I serve to express gratitude and pay it forward with joy.” Arianna Kassam noted, “MLK Day means equality for everyone, no matter their skin color.” 

Looking back to last year, L.A. Works co-founder Donna Bojarsky’s words rang just as true: “Volunteerism helps you understand the challenges that face us. The more knowledgeable citizens are about an issue, the more effective they can be to help overcome it.”

The Portland Jamat joined several other Jamats along the West Coast to serve their local communities in commemoration of MLK Day as well. A group of Ismailis ranging from ages six to 65, bundled and prepared themselves for a cold, wet and muddy day outdoors. Their warm smiles and determined attitudes kept spirits high as they partnered with Friends of Trees, “a regional leader focused on improving the urban tree canopy and restoring sensitive natural areas.”

The group planted over 100 trees while receiving education on the finer points of planting, as well as the important role trees play in our urban areas. The Jamat participates regularly in environmental, shelter, and welfare volunteer opportunities across the city. “The lasting impression that the I-CERV team leaves on others spurs a better understanding of the Ismaili community, our principles and beliefs, and supports our mission to be better ambassadors of our faith” said I-CERV event organizer, Malik Pirani.

By electing to serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, members of I-CERV joined hundreds of other volunteers who improve the quality of life for communities in Los Angeles and Portland. But they recognize that the work does not stop there, and look forward to more service projects in the future.