More than 1,600 people will volunteer at service projects across King County in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. The day of service, organized by United Way of King County will benefit more than 70 nonprofit agencies.

In Auburn, volunteers will help adults living with mobility limitations catch up on some pre-spring cleaning at Senior Assisted Living.

“Many people in our community continue to struggle even though we are seeing signs of economic recovery,” said Jared Erlandson, public relations manager for United Way. “Dr. King encouraged people to come together to help people in need and to strengthen our communities. The work these volunteers will accomplish will make a very real and tangible difference in the lives of thousands.”

Of the 1,600 volunteers, more than 100 will be working on a project in South King County connecting families to free assistance in completing FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) paper work.

“United Way is all about helping people connect with the public benefits that are available and they are eligible to receive,” Erlandson said. “Our FAFSA volunteers are going out and helping kids take that next step that could make a tremendous impact on the rest of their lives.”

United Way of King County connects more than 35,000 people to volunteer projects every year, and the number is growing. The agency reports that the current economic climate and the shortfall in government budgets are making volunteers even more critical and United Way encourages people to make a commitment to volunteer year round.

People can choose from hundreds of opportunities daily and search by location, neighborhood, and subject of interest at www.unitedwayofkingcounty.org.