Alamance County resident Elaine Malone taught theater in Atlanta when Martin Luther King Jr.’s children began to attend her school soon after his death. She formed a personal connection to the family, which is why she makes it a point to recognize MLK Day each year by participating in community service.
This year was no different. On Monday at 4 p.m., Malone volunteered at the Alamance County Democratic Party Headquarters, where she has been volunteering and attending events since she moved to the area five years ago. Participating in one of four events ACDP hosted for its “day of service,” she and other volunteers made Valentine’s Day cards for community members in senior living facilities.
“It feels wonderful when you can give of yourself, and maybe nobody will find out about it but you’re giving of yourself,” Malone said.
To her, the highlight of the day was using craft supplies such as ribbon to give each card a personal touch and a dash of creativity.
But the events of the day weren’t only in honor of America’s only nationwide day of service, but were also to turn an otherwise sad day for the Democrats into one of hope and productivity.
“I did not turn the television on this morning, and I am not going to turn it on tonight,” Malone said.
The reason for Malone’s TV-aversion: the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who beat out Democratic candidate Kamala Harris by over 7,000 votes in Alamance County on Nov. 5, 2024.
ACDP Chair Ron Osborne said that the group saw the day as an opportunity to honor King's legacy while also providing a distraction for themselves.
“Rather than be fixated on that event, we figured we’d turn it into something positive,” Osborne said.
Osborne said “politics touch everything” and by hosting service events on an otherwise sad day, they are able to make a political difference, even if it’s small.
“I think it’s very important that the Democratic Party be recognized for wanting to give things to the community,” Malone said.
By giving back to the community, members of the ACDP are better able to promote good government, which Osborne said is the primary goal of the organization.
Osborne said he believes kindness is the basis for a strong government and strives to treat others, even those he disagrees with politically, the way he wants to be treated.
“To me, nothing’s been improved upon the golden rule,” Osborne said.