More than 85 HMA associates, family members and Birmingham residents turned their day off on Monday, Jan. 21 into a “day on” by volunteering as part of the 13th Annual MLK Day of Service organized by Hands On Birmingham.

More than 85 HMA associates, family members and Birmingham residents turned their day off on Monday, Jan. 21 into a “day on” by volunteering as part of the 13th Annual MLK Day of Service organized by Hands On Birmingham.

A program of the United Way of Central Alabama and the City of Birmingham, Hands On Birmingham is designed to create opportunities for people - and companies - to volunteer, learn and lead in their communities.

HMA joined forces with Hands On Birmingham again this year to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through service and volunteerism.

“Honda Manufacturing of Alabama is proud to partner with Hands On Birmingham to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by volunteering,” said Stephanie Hill Alexander, who coordinates community relations activities for HMA. “We had a great team of HMA associates and their families who spent their MLK holiday working side-by-side with community residents to spruce up and enhance a neighborhood park.”

Alexander said this is the second year that HMA has organized an associate volunteer activity to coincide with the MLK Day of Service.

“It’s rewarding to see our associates, who come from many different backgrounds, work together as “one team” to make a positive difference in our community,” said Sean Jones, an engineer in HMA’s assembly operations. Jones also serves as a board member for Hands On Birmingham.

The team of HMA associates, their family members and community volunteers worked non-stop from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to enhance Downey Park in the East Lake neighborhood of Birmingham.

Projects included resurfacing basketball and volleyball courts, spreading new mulch on the playground and repairing swing sets. Additionally, the team of volunteers also painted picnic tables, benches, playground equipment, basketball goals and a pavilion.

“It’s one thing to talk about it - or to have it in a mission statement. But you actually have people coming out here and putting their hands on the community to do something good,” said Stanley Robinson, spokesman for the City of Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board. “The kids are going to see - and the parents are going to see - tangible evidence of Honda and Hands On Birmingham having been here and given back to the community.”

Members of the East Lake neighborhood who joined the volunteer effort were also appreciative of both Honda and Hands On Birmingham’s commitment to help improve the community where they live and play.

“We are so happy to have Honda come out here on this day, Martin Luther King’s birthday,” Aaisha Muhammad, president of the East Lake Neighborhood Association.

“It means so much to us that you all would come out on this day and do this for us. We cannot thank you enough.”