Nearly 1,000 volunteers from about 70 student organizations have been working all year to organize today's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service activities.

Rebecca Levin and Jeffrey Paradise, co-directors of the Undergraduate Student Government-sponsored events, said the activities focus on both service opportunities and King's legacy.

"It's been really exciting to see the culmination of everything all in one day," Levin said.

This year the focus of the day of service will be on the various service groups represented on campus and downtown.

The events will include an educational program with an emphasis on combating homophobia and hatred of all kinds, a panel discussion featuring a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp and a presentation about civil rights and money by Colgate University professor Adam Weinberg.

One group, Centre County United Way, will be represented on campus today in Findlay Commons and tomorrow at the HUB-Robeson Center.

The local United Way chapter serves more than 35 local organizations through its fundraising efforts. The group is coming to campus for the day of service to spread its message to students.

"We feel this is a great opportunity because a lot of students aren't aware of what United Way does for our community," said Connie Schroeder, community relations director of the State College-based affiliate of the organization.

Paradise said that while the service-based events are an important aspect of today's celebration, this year will be different than previous years because it will focus on King's teachings as well.

The keynote speaker of this day of service will be King's oldest child, Yolanda King.

"I'm really excited this year because we have Yolanda King," Paradise said.

King's speech will take place at 7 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium. Paradise said he hopes her speech will integrate the ideals of service work with the historical context of her father's mission.

"This year I think Yolanda King will really fuse the two," he said.

Paradise and Levin both said they hoped the day of service would provide an opportunity for all students to come and learn, not just students who are already active in the community.

Some university students who spoke with their professors last week will be excused from classes today, but even those who weren't excused last week might be able to participate.

Professors have been understanding about students' desire to participate in the day of service events, Paradise said.

The organizers of the events have worked long hours to make today a success. Levin said she and others have been in the USG office until about 2 a.m. every night for the past three weeks.

"It's been quite a long run," she said.