Jordan Baxter (left) and Steve Bishop prep a piece of trim as they volunteer during the Decatur Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project weekend on Sunday, January 18, 2015. The 13th annual event saw over 1,000 people volunteer their time and skill to helping make repairs on senior homes around the city. Photo by Jonathan Phillips

There are several MLK Day of Service projects taking place this weekend.

In Kirkwood, volunteers are needed at the historic Clay Cemetery at 31 Clifton Street, NE on Monday, Jan. 18 at 9 a.m.

Project organizer Earl Williamson said, “We’ll be placing 25 cast cement gravestones to identify unmarked graves located by ground penetrating radar. This is part of the ongoing caretaking and restoration of Kirkwood’s oldest intact historical site, dating to at least 1861. Join us for an unusual and unique MLK Service Day project you won’t find anywhere but Kirkwood! As always, tools, gloves, and instruction are provided.”

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Williamson and volunteers started clearing the overgrown cemetery in Kirkwood several years ago. Ground penetrating radar in 2014 detected additional unmarked graves in the cemetery. You can email Williamson with any questions about the project.

The city of Decatur will hold its annual MLK Jr. Service Project Jan. 16-18. The project provides free house maintenance and repair for Decatur’s senior citizens.

Last January, about 1,300 volunteers helped out over the three-day weekend. Volunteers can sign up online. Decaturish was at last year’s event and got these photos of the project.

Volunteers are also needed for the annual MLK Volunteer Day at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve on Monday, Jan. 18 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Participants can help mulch trails, finish painting the observation deck, and repair boardwalks.