Obamas volunteer on Martin Luther King Day

Jan 18, 2011, 12:21 GMT

Washington - US President Barack Obama and his family met with volunteers at a Washington school on Monday to mark the holiday honouring civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama along with daughters Malia and Sasha visited the Stuart Hobson Middle School, where volunteers were decorating the school as part of an initiative calling for a day of service on the national holiday.

'This is part of what America is all about. And after a painful week where so many of us were focused on tragedy its good for us to remind ourselves of what this country's all about,' President Obama said, referring to the attack on a congresswoman that left six people dead and 14 wounded in Arizona. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is in serious condition in hospital.

Volunteers, including the Obama family, painted images of fruit in the school's cafeteria to encourage healthy eating and drew logos representing universities to encourage students to aim for higher education.

Volunteers also sang happy birthday to Michelle Obama, who turned 47 Monday.

Since before taking office in 2008, Obama has encouraged volunteering on Martin Luther King Jr Day, to remember King's commitment to service. Hundreds of community organizations were sponsoring volunteer events around the country in honour of King, who was slain in 1968.