Many Americans Take Part in National Day of Service - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

(KCEN) -- Monday's presidential inauguration and the Federal Martin Luther King Holiday coincide this year.  

But it's no coincidence that President Obama is invoking Dr. King's legacy calling on Americans to do something for their fellow Americans in a National Day of Service.  

On this National Day of Service President Obama led by example. 

He and the first Lady volunteered at an elementary school honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King just like he did before his first inauguration.  

"It's a symbol of how our democracy works and how we peacefully transfer power. It should also be an affirmation that we're all in this together," President Obama said.

Not far away the vice president and a bunch of Bidens helped pack supply kits for members of the U.S. Military.  

Across the country an estimated quarter million people did something to help someone else.  

In Rochester there was a clothing drive, in Manhattan volunteers added a little life to the walls of a senior center, in Orlando the grass roots services were quite literal. 

Back on the National Mall in Washington Former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton encouraged people to do more than just celebrate on this inauguration weekend. 

Volunteer Ramaya Thomas says, "We want to help unfortunate families so we made several cards for them." 

Others chose to write letters to military veterans or even help animals.  

One woman brought her sister and had a message to the rest of us:

"They need to get up. Besides it takes all of us," says Yvonne Boyles-Evans. 

A message these volunteers hope will echo long beyond this National Day of Service

As required by the Constitution President Obama will take the oath at the White House tomorrow and then again Monday in a grand ceremony at the Capitol.