Thank you, Dr. Wilson. It's truly a privilege to be here today, to celebrate – and hopefully continue – the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The theme of today's celebration, "Embracing the Dream through Community Service," is so timely and meaningful. On the eve of celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, it's particularly inspiring to remember his words, urging us to do our part to help others and create the "Beloved Community" that he dreamed of. A world where poverty, hunger and homelessness no longer exist. A world devoid of racism, discrimination, prejudice and bigotry. A place where trust and love triumph over fear and hatred; and peace and justice prevail over war and conflict.

Today, we must also remember his works. In her essay, "The Meaning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday", his widow, Coretta Scott King wrote:

"Dr. King knew that it wasn't enough just to talk the talk, that he had to walk the walk for his words to be credible. And so we commemorate on this holiday the man of action, who put his life on the line for freedom and justice every day, the man who braved threats and jail and beatings and who ultimately paid the highest price to make democracy a reality for all Americans.

"It is a day of interracial and intercultural cooperation and sharing. No other day of the year brings so many peoples from different cultural backgrounds together in such a vibrant spirit of brother and sisterhood."

Building on the Legacy

In celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day through community service, we all build on and benefit from his legacy. We also add to the legacy of generations of other African-Americans who helped to build our country since the first ships hit our shores, including here in McLean, Virginia – a place that many of us call home.

In the months and years following the Civil War, freed slaves and free-born African-Americans purchased land here in the McLean area. Some settled along Kirby Road, just a few miles from here, creating a vibrant farming community called Lincolnville. Later, that area was renamed Chesterbrook. Others made their homes near what is now the Dulles Toll Road, where Lewinsville and Spring Hill Roads meet -- an area still known as Odrick's Corner.

In these communities lived men and women of courage, faith and determination. They could have been content to make a living and simply take care of their own. But they were not.

Instead, African-Americans like Cyrus Carter, Alfred Odrick, Samuel Sharper and others established churches where they and their neighbors could worship openly. They opened schools where their children were finally free to learn. And they created the foundation of a giving, caring community that is evidenced even today, in this auditorium. In fact, several of the churches they founded are among those here with us today.

The famous poet, Dr. Maya Angelou, teaches us that we have all been "paid for" by these and other long ago, "passed-on travelers." When I first heard those phrases, I wondered what she meant. Now I think she's saying that our ancestors worked, and sacrificed and gave of themselves, their land and their worldly goods so that their children and their future generations could enjoy the benefits of a better life. I would suggest to you – that it is now our turn. It's our time to serve and share.

A Giving Spirit

The beauty of community service is that anyone can do it. Young, old, rich, poor, black, white, yellow, male, female, gay, straight, Christian, Jew and Muslim – anyone and everyone can serve.

In 1968, Dr. King said in his sermon, "The Drum Major Instinct":

"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. ... You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love, and you can be that servant."

Let me tell you about a person I know whose heart is full of grace and her soul is abundant with love. Makenzie Snyder is proof that anyone can serve – even a child. When she was seven years old, Makenzie learned that thousands of foster children moved from home to home, carrying their few meager possessions in black trash bags. She didn't think that was right. So within a year, she founded a non-profit organization that she named Children to Children, collecting and distributing duffel bags with a small stuffed animal for youngsters in America's foster care system.

She even got big corporations and foundations involved. I'll never forget the first time she met with the Freddie Mac Foundation Board of Directors. There she sat, with her little legs swinging back and forth -- they couldn't even reach the floor – answering every question clearly and with confidence.

Now a 14-year-old, 8th grade student, straight A's, champion baton-twirling, seven years as an Executive Director of a non-profit, Makenzie is still at it. Her goal is to put duffel bags and stuffed animals into the arms of the more than half-a-million children in foster care across the United States. And she's well on her way. So far, she has collected and distributed more than 34,000 bags, and each one has a note from Makenzie and a stuffed animal tucked inside.

One day, Makenzie received a thank you letter from a young girl. She wrote to say that she had never owned a stuffed animal. She loved this little bear so much, that she named it "Mommy." Whenever she was lonely, or sad or afraid, she would hug "Mommy" and talk to her. Already, she had cried and squeezed the teddy bear so much that the stitches were popping out, but she was very thankful to have her cuddly friend to talk to.

She went on to say that, up until she received the duffel bag, she had been living out of a black trash bag. It meant everything to her to have a real bag to carry her belongings in. And every day, she would take Makenzie's note out and read it, because it made her happy to know that someone ... somewhere ... cared about her and loved her.

For this child – and more than 34,000 others who have received them – the bags, stuffed animals and notes aren't just simple possessions. They're lifelines of dignity, hope and compassion. All this because one little girl saw something that wasn't right ... and did something about it. A little girl, filled with grace and love.

Makenzie comes from a family with a giving spirit. When she was four, her two older brothers – Cory and Brock – raised money to buy infrared goggles and other life-saving equipment for the local fire department. Eventually, they raised more than $65,000 – enough to buy an entire fire truck.

Makenzie regrets that she couldn't be here today. She and her mother, Margie, are in New York sharing her story with Teen People magazine. But her father, Dan, is with us along with his sons, Cory and Brock. While this particular Dan Snyder may not own a football team, I'd suggest that he has something that will outshine and outlast even a Super Bowl ring – a caring, giving family.

Raising Caring Kids

We can all aspire to reach out and help others, whether our children are toddlers or teens. In her book, The Giving Family: Raising Our Children to Help Others, author Susan Price asserts that it's never too early – or too late – to start teaching children the habit of giving. Her book lists eight simple steps to raising caring kids. Let me share just a few.

The first step is to set an example. Many of us did that today when we honored Dr. King's memory by donating duffel bags for foster children through Children to Children, or contributing canned goods to SHARE – a nonprofit organization that helps families in need right here in our community.

Other important steps include showing them the way by taking them along with us when we volunteer, or talking to them about our donations. Equally important, we can make volunteering and giving a year-round family practice – not just something we do once a year or during the holidays.

We might, for example, ask our children to select cereal or canned goods while grocery shopping, and then donate those items to SHARE's food pantry each month. People are often surprised to learn that here in McLean – considered by many to be one of the most affluent communities in the country –there are families struggling to put food on the table or maintain stable homes. SHARE provides assistance to families in need, offering food, clothing and furniture. It also provides transportation to medical care and emergency services for families in crisis, including partial rental assistance.

SHARE relies entirely on volunteers and donations and volunteers to offer its services. I'm sure that Victor Kimm, the representative from SHARE with us today, would be happy to speak with you after today's event, and tell you how your family could become involved.

Some families like to take part in a different volunteer project each month – from making sandwiches to feed homeless individuals to visiting elderly nursing home residents.

I believe when asked or reminded, Americans have a huge giving spirit. Many families and businesses are finding ways to help the victims of the recent Tsunami disaster. At Freddie Mac, our employees have to date donated more than $132,000 to support relief efforts, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Freddie Mac Foundation. I'm pleased to add that the Foundation is contributing another $100,000 to support children's relief charities, and Freddie Mac has donated $150,000 to the American Red Cross and other relief organizations.

And across the country, children are setting up hot chocolate stands, families are holding yard sales, and teens are collecting loose change to raise funds for relief efforts. In Northwest Washington, DC, two sisters, 16-year-old Olivia and 17-year-old Jess Bennett, donated $150 that they had saved to the American Red Cross. Then, they and a friend canvassed the neighborhood, asking for donations. According to the Washington Post, by the time they were finished they had covered 25 blocks and collected more than $5,500. Jess told a reporter, "We had hoped to raise $500. It just goes to show that everybody can do something." Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Still, in the face of such enormous devastation, sometimes we wonder how much of a difference one person can make. The answer, I think, is simple. Whether it's helping Tsunami victims in southern Asia and east Africa – or feeding the hungry in our own community – to those touched by our efforts, it makes all the difference in the world. I am often reminded that "to whom much is given, much is required."

I think that Dr. King would admire Jess and Olivia Bennett, and Makenzie and her family, because they are living the ideals that he set for his own life. In fact, Makenzie and Victor epitomize Dr. King's ideals through their giving and commitment to this community. At this time the Freddie Mac Foundation would like to make a donation to both of these organizations in order that they may continue their good works.

Epitaph

It has certainly been my honor to be with you here today to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Just two months before he stood on that balcony in Memphis, Dr. King stood at the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church, his father's church, and spoke about the end of his mortal life. Reflecting on how he would like to be remembered, Dr. King said, "I'd like somebody to mention on that day Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I want you to say on that day, that I did try in my life ... to love and serve humanity."

When that day comes for each of us, what will be said? May that be the legacy of us all.