Hundred of Volunteers Turn Out for Hands on Work Day in Athens and Environs

En route to Brooklyn Cemetery Monday morning, Monica Graham and Sophia Oakley came up with a funny: "Drink milk," they said, "just leave out the i!"

Accompanied by Sophia's parents Angela and Brian Oakley, and her 4-year-old brother Willson, the two little girls were part of a large group of volunteers who went to Brooklyn Cemetery on Monday for the 10th Annual Athens MLK Jr. Day of Service. The event is sponsored by Hands on Northeast Georgia, a progam of

This year's day drew more than 700 volunteers to 36 sites scattered primarily in Athens. Coordinator Dawn Aiello said many people "just showed up," like the members of the AKA sorority who went to Brooklyn Cemetery..

People planted flowers at South jackson Elementary, cut back privet near , continued the work of the at and worked on the , among other projects. Also on tap for 3pm was a 5K along the Greenway to benefit Extra Special People.

Leara Rhodes, one of several people handing out water and snacks at Brooklyn Cemetery, said there are more than 1,100 graves in the historic African American cemetery. It's near Clarke Middle School. According to a website for the cemetery, it was founded in 1882.

An earlier version of this story has references in it that have since been corrected.