More than 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a movement centered on hope for a better tomorrow. In classrooms around the country each year, students are asked to reflect on this man’s inspirational journey in fighting for freedom, justice and equality. But while the young people we serve at the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula (BGCP) in East Palo Alto, Calif., are reminded of this day’s significance in school, MLK Day is often celebrated as a day off rather than a tribute to one of the greatest civil rights heroes of our time.

So when Yahoo! offered to buy tickets for our families to ride the 24th annual Freedom Train as part of their Purple Acts of Kindness program, we were absolutely thrilled. Surprises like these are definitely a warm welcome. This San Francisco Bay Area tradition is an amazing opportunity to take part in celebrations honoring Dr. King’s legacy. And what better way to bring these lessons to life for our members?

Over 200 members from BGCP (kids ages 6-18 and their families) traveled on the Freedom Train for a ride from San Jose to San Francisco to join the Freedom March and Rally Celebration. This year’s theme, “The Realization of Hope,” was very appropriate as we mark Barack Obama’s inauguration as our first African-American president. This all-day march and rally was an incredible time of joyous celebration, quiet reflection and hopeful preparation for what lies ahead. When we boarded the train to head home, many of our young people left with a twinkle of excitement in their eyes, awed and inspired by the powerful messages from the day.

Dae'Von Bishop, a 13-year-old Club member, summed up his feelings when he wrote, “I think that Obama's inauguration will open many doors for young black males like me because people will have higher expectations for us. I hope that as I move forward with my life I will be able to inspire the next generation the way he has inspired me.”

Thanks to Yahoo! for a remarkable day of inspiration!

Amy Liebert
Development Associate
Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula