Close to 700 people turned out Monday to participate in the inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The event allowed Baltimore City students, staff and parents to complete organized service projects dedicated to the memory of the leader.

Participants had the option of making Valentine's Day cards for soldiers stationed abroad; writing pen pal letters to students in Haiti; assembling arts-and-crafts kits for critically ill children at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center; making toiletry kits for homeless teenagers, senior citizens and students in foster care and group homes; and learning different ways to become more environmentally sound.

In addition to the school-based sites, participants had the option of bringing toys and treats to abused animals at Defenders of Animal Rights and preparing packages of food at Moveable Feast, an organization that assists people with terminal illnesses.

The activities were housed at the Success Academy, Southside Academy, Northeast Middle School, Antioch Diploma Plus High School and Achievement Academy at Harbor City.

"They just wanted to be there," said organizer Tamara Barron, an educational specialist for pupil services and service learning coordinator for the school system. "They just wanted to give back. They wanted to be part of Dr. King's legacy. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Everyone was energetic for the cause. It was such an amazing response."

Student leaders chose the activities during a conference in Ocean City.

More than 300 students and 50 adults signed up for the event. Organizers were pleased to have almost double that amount.