The commitment to service President Barack Obama called for on Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday was amply evident at the first Middleburg Citizens for Action Volunteer Fair at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Monday when over one hundred citizens signed up to help local initiatives.

Volunteers from almost forty organizations were available to explain the missions of their groups and to encourage commitments from visitors who had time to help them keep the good work going.

Organized by Middleburg City Council Member Kathy Jo Shea, the event, in her words and very obviously to a spectator, was a "spectacular success."

Whether you'd like to volunteer with Mary's Family to help families who have children with special needs; or with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy to help monitor and protect birds, streams and amphibians; or with the Goose Creek Association to help protect water, wetlands and wildlife, they were there with so many other organizations who are anxious to welcome new volunteers.

A special Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Mary Kay Garwood by Franklin Payne who noted that she had also been named Citizen of the Year in 2008 by the American Legion Post.

"She never stops volunteering and helping wherever she thinks help is needed," he said.

Organizations participating in the first Middleburg Citizens for Action volunteer Fair that would welcome your assistance include:

7 Loaves Services, American Legion Post #295, Boy Scouts, CAAB, Canine Companions, Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Fund, Virginia German Shephard Rescue, Go Green, Golden Dreams, Goose Creek Association, Blue Ridge Hospice, Joy Club, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, MARE Center, Mary's Family and Meadowkirk.

Also recruiting new volunteers were Middleburg Business & Professional Association, Loudoun Animal Protection Society, Middleburg Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Middleburg Emmanuel Mississippi Mission, Middleburg FISH, Middleburg Library Advisory Board, Mosby Heritage, Piedmont Conservation Foundation, Piedmont Environmental Defense, Rainbow Riding Program, Shiloh Baptist Church, The Pink Box Information Center, the Town of Middleburg, Upperville Horse and Colt Show, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Volunteer Loudoun, Voters for Loudoun's Future, Windy Hill Foundation and the Windy Hill After School Study Program.