By Erica Anderson
Some of today's volunteers at ServiceNation's Simon Elementary makeover project came from across the country. Danielle Harrington, a Ballou Senior High School graduate, just had to cross the street.
But that short walk likely felt much longer to her, because she also had a strong personal motivation to be there.
"I always used to update my big brother about all the positive things I was doing in my life," she said. "But on Friday, at a nearby nightclub, he was killed."
The loss is numbing, Danielle said, but not a reason to miss out on this MLK Day event.
"I told myself, if he was here, I would want to call him and update him on this. This would make him really happy."
Danielle, an elementary-education major at nearby Trinity College, said the loss of her 27-year-old brother was a "wake-up call."
"I have so many goals for my life. I want to inspire others and help other people to work hard and learn. It makes me feel good," Harrington said.
Danielle was able to volunteer through the District of Columbia College Success Foundation, a program sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates. And she gave her time on a day when President-elect Barack Obama encouraged Americans to heed the call of service and answer to a higher calling for the greater good of the nation.
"I want to help the next generation in any way to become productive readers, writers and thinkers."
As she stacked new books in the library, it appeared she was doing just that — giving back to the next generation. Now that's a positive update to share.
"Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" will air live on MTV on Tuesday, January 20, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. MTV News will have wall-to-wall coverage of the event and of the scenes in Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Kenya in the days leading up to the event and in the days that follow.