“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.” By Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.
I am observing the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. holiday and soon, on April 4th, we will observe the 50th Anniversary of MLK, Jr’s. assassination. Certainly, many “Friends” of this Blog recall the times we lived in during the 60’s and before and we remember with clarity the first news of Dr. King’s assassination. For me, the day, time, and place where I heard the news remains as familiar as my memory of President Kennedy’s assassination.
What I knew and understood about Dr. King on April 4th, 1968, was very little in comparison to my knowledge and understanding today. Not only has my knowledge grown, but my recognition of the ways my life improved has grown. After 50 years, I continue to pay honor to his life and his conviction to change our country for the better. Many will be reminded today about some of Dr. King’s achievements, but I suggest we consider a more deliberate and more current approach to honoring Dr. King. 
I recommend reading a book titled “What Would Martin Say?” co-authored by Clarence Jones and Joel Engel. Clarence Jones was Dr. King’s personal lawyer and one of his closest advisers, a confidant and friend. After 40 years of silence, Jones shares what he believes based on their relationship, would be Dr. King’s position on various current issues confronting us over the past decade. Reading this book may reveal that some or many of our current day beliefs about Dr. King may not be consistent to what he stood for and eventually died for. I contend that should we determine Dr. King is worthy of honor, then we should honor Dr. King for whom he was and what he truly stood for. For example; do we believe Dr. King would still proclaim today we should judge each other on the content of character vs. the color of our skin? Do we honor those words today spoken by Dr. King 50 years ago? Thanks Martin!
The Scholarship Campaign
Anne G. Broady SF Goal: $1,500.00 Actual: $1,000.00 Deadline: January 26, 2018
We are doing exceptionally well after one week of raising funds for the AGB Scholarships. To date, we have moved upward to 66% of our goal. If you have not yet made a donation, 
then hopefully you will find the cause worthy. All sizes of donations are appreciated.
We reached our goal before the deadline last year and we are on pace to do so again. There are some really amazing “Friends” who support this. Thank you.
The ED Salary Support Campaign
ED Salary Support Goal: $2,500.00 Actual: $700.00 Deadline: April 9, 2018
We are also showing good progress with the ED Salary support after the first week. We continue to encourage consideration for this specific area because we know having strong leadership guiding the team is the glue that keeps us moving successfully forward with our plans for 2018. The deadline we have set is longer and we are very optimistic.
- ED Ana Yancy with Daughter
As you know, this is the “only paid position” at the Copey Learning Center and money well spent. Our funds supplement about 50% of the total annual salary provided by the Learning Center’s Board of Directors for the ED position. Ana Yancy is entering her third year in this position.
Methods for Donating!
Click on the link below for specific directions for donating. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me directly. Any amount donated is considered important and greatly appreciated by me and certainly by the moms and dads of some really neat kids.
https://friendsofcopey.com/2018/01/08/kick-off-2018/
If this is your first time experiencing our annual fundraising campaign, you can look back at the previous years during the January months for more information. And, the methods available for donating have remained the same as well.
Looking Ahead!
Not only are there two fundraising events underway, several other activities are in the making in support of the Copey Learning Center. Look forward to next week’s Post to see the news about a Utah Elementary School’s efforts to gather school supplies for the Learning Center. Also, soon I will recognize a very special “Friend” who is busy behind the scenes doing some very unusual work. And, I plan to share parts of the speeches two Copey Learning Center graduates gave during the 2017 Graduation we attended in November.
Dr. King said….”“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”
Stay Connected….! 2018 is Rolling!
Thanks for this important post, Arthur, and for sharing Dr. King’s words of wisdom. I am mailing my check to you today, and I hope others will use this special day to dig deep for our children, parents, teachers, volunteers, and community members, as everyone benefits when we give. Please feel free to divide the donation between the two fundraising efforts, or use the funds where they are most needed. I trust your judgment. I hope everyone will take a moment to listen to Dion’s song. I think now is a good time to take a listen.(((MONO))) Dion – Abraham, Martin and John 45 rpm 1968 – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZfRyWPZAII
Lyrics
Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham,
Can you tell me where he’s gone?
He freed a lotta people, but it seems the good die young
But I just looked around and he’s gone.
Has anybody here seen my old friend John,
Can you tell me where he’s gone?
He freed a lotta people, but it seems the good die young
But I just looked around and he’s gone.
Has anybody here seen my old friend Martin,
Can you tell me where he’s gone?
He freed a lotta people, but it seems the good die young
But I just looked around and he’s gone.
Didn’t you love the things they stood for?
Didn’t they try to find some good for you and me?
And we’ll be free,
Someday soon it’s gonna be one day.
Has anybody here seen my old friend Bobby,
Can you tell me where he’s gone?
I thought I saw him walkin’ up over the hill
With Abraham, Martin and John.
Thank you,
Lisa B.
Thanks so much Lisa. The song has always been one of my favorites. Brings up tears and mixed feelings pride and pain. But such comfort to know that we and our efforts would be pleasing to them. This is what it feels like “when it is an honor to serve (with the servant’s heart)! For you I am always grateful..Thanks.