Reinforcing an annual tradition, President Obama took part in a community service project in Washington on Monday to mark the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.
Mr. Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia visited for about an hour at the Boys and Girls Club’s George M. Ferris clubhouse, where they assembled literacy kits comprised of flashcards and books, and helped to paint a mural.
They were joined by senior presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett, Cabinet Secretary Broderick Johnson, and Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
The president didn’t make any comments to reporters while he was at the clubhouse, on Shepherd Street in Northwest. The White House said the service was to honor King’s life and legacy.
Mr. Obama could be seen talking to a boy in a blue T-shirt, helping him draw while the two Obama women were at tables with other groups of children.
Many administration officials also participated in King Day events nationwide.
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Treasury Secretary Jack Lew served alongside City Year AmeriCorps members in New York City; Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and General Services Administrator Dan Tangherlini took part in the Student Conservation Association’s annual King Day cleanup of Anacostia Park; Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack helped to provide housing and placement services at the Central Iowa Shelter & Service’s Mulberry Food and Farms Greenhouse in Des Moines, Iowa.
Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker spoke at a Taproot Foundation event in Baltimore to connect about 100 nonprofit organizations with professional project managers. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez spoke to students at the University of South Carolina and served meals to volunteers at service projects throughout Columbia, the state capital.
The president and his family have spent the holiday in a variety of service events over the years. Last year, the Obamas helped to make meals at D.C. Central Kitchen in Washington to be delivered to homeless shelters.
From 2011 to 2013, the Obamas took part in sprucing up local elementary schools in Washington.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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