For the past 17 years, people have been honoring the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. by chipping in to help their community. This year, Austinites did their part to recognize King's contributions.

Volunteer projects included a cleanup in the Montopolis Greenbelt, an improvement project for the Open Door Preschools Playground and some gardening at the Urban Roots Farm. The MLK Day of Service in Austin is sponsored by the United Way Capital Area.

"The rain doesn't really come to kill. It comes to help things grow," community activist Gigi Edwards-Bryant said, describing the weather conditions Saturday.

"It's the perfect opportunity to come out and grow something," said Edwards-Bryant. "Whether it's to inspire, whether it's to lead, whether it's to follow."

The young volunteers that contributed their efforts Saturday have chosen to be leaders. Paulina Sanchez is a volunteer with American Youthworks Green Energy Corps.

"Even thought it's raining, of course we're still gonna pick up trash," Paulina Sanchez said.

The 17th annual MLK Day march in Austin is celebrating 25 years of the MLK Day federally recognized holiday.

The Day of Service happens on the weekend before the annual MLK Day march on Monday.