'It's important:' Life and legacy of MLK Jr. celebrated in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was celebrated throughout southeast Wisconsin on Monday, Jan. 20. Some groups honored him through service.

Dozens of volunteers helped beautify the halls of Milwaukee's Lancaster School on 68th Street. Gov. Tony Evers and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett joined volunteers to help paint walls and put together some new benches for the school. 

City Year Americorps members led the project and members said it's important to give back on a day like today.

“It’s important on a day like today with Martin Luther King Day being today that we serve our community and that’s what he wanted us to do. He was big on serving because we can all serve, right? So, got to put our time in and help our community get better,” Tyler Sajdak of Americorps said.

“This is just that, an opportunity to serve and we believe today is a day on and not a day off and we love that we can bring in community members to serve alongside us,” Managing Director Tamara Pacada of City Year Milwaukee said.

About 900 community leaders attended a breakfast honoring MLK Jr., as well hosted by the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino.

Gov. Evers and Mayor Barrett spoke at the event and it's in its 23rd year.