Gov. Patrick to convene student ambassadors for day of service

Jan 26: Virginia Richert of Dudley and Lyndsay Makie of Webster to participate

BOSTON - Over 300 eighth graders representing the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns will conveneSaturday, January 26,for the annual launch of Project 351 and day of service.   As part of Project 351, student “Ambassadors” from across Massachusetts will unite to serve and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.   Launched during Governor Deval Patrick’s inaugural in 2010, Project 351 is dedicated to celebrating youth leadership and inspiring the ethic of service.

Governor Patrick will again host a Youth Town Meeting this year, before joining Ambassadors for an afternoon of service at five non-profit and educational organizations across Boston.  The day will conclude at the State House where Ambassadors and the Governor will reflect on the day and celebrate the legacy of Dr. King.

The young people participating were all nominated by education leaders in their hometowns, based on their exemplary service ethic and spirit of generosity.

Together, Ambassadors will impact thousands of children, families, and elderly in the areas of nutrition, early childhood health and development, education, and housing and homelessness, while motivating an enduring commitment to the ethic of service.

Chaired by Governor Deval Patrick, Project 351 celebrates the ethic of service, youth leadership, and the power of community to uplift and unite.  Eighth-grade Ambassadors from cities and towns across the Commonwealth are nominated by local educators for unique leadership and service opportunities over a year's term.

Project 351, an independent non-profit organization, promotes the values of kindness, compassion, commitment, humility, and generosity of spirit through the positive example of its Ambassadors.  An engaged community of partners from the private and non-profit sector enable the mission of Project 351 and includes Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, John Hancock Financial Services, 451 Marketing, Nordblom Properties, Pfizer, and Bank of America.