The millions of Americans who continue to be inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. include several NBA players, who are encouraging their fellow citizens to honor King by serving their communities on the King Holiday.

“We are still benefitting from the many lessons taught by Dr. King,” said Rashad McCants of the Minnesota Timberwolves. “Dr. King’s strength was an inspiration to me and I hope people will volunteer their time as a way to give back to their communities,” said Paul Pierce, who plays with the Boston Celtics.

Volunteering in specific areas is especially important, according to Tyson Chandler of the New Orleans Hornets. “We can continue to restore New Orleans, while also honoring Dr. King, by volunteering on the Martin Luther King Day of Service and rebuilding the greater New Orleans area."

More than 5,000 service projects are planned in communities across the country for the national day of service on January 21. The efforts are expected to engage more than a half million Americans in all 50 states in a wide variety of projects ranging from signing up volunteers to tutor and mentor children, to painting schools and senior centers, to delivering meals and building homes. Forty years after the civil rights leader’s death, Americans are coming out in record numbers to build what Dr. King called “the Beloved Community.”