Dan Gross/The Gazette Selena Pigrom, 7, of Laurel and Shade Witherspoon, 3, of Silver Spring make cards for veterans at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Silver Spring Civic Building on Monday.

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Dan Gross/The Gazette Selena Pigrom, 7, of Laurel and Shade Witherspoon, 3, of Silver Spring make cards for veterans at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Silver Spring Civic Building on Monday.
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Dan Gross/The Gazette Elizabeth Green (left) of Washington, D.C., and Tenikka Greene of Largo, who are part of a group called I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L., make inspirational bracelets Monday that will be donated to homeless shelters at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service held at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

Dan Gross/The Gazette Selena Pigrom, 7, of Laurel and Shade Witherspoon, 3, of Silver Spring make cards for veterans at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Silver Spring Civic Building on Monday.

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Volunteers in Silver Spring crowded around tables Monday to frost cupcakes with icing and cover them with marshmallows, sprinkles and other sugary treats.

The 500 homemade, technicolor cupcakes, however, were not going into the decorators’ stomachs, but would feed the homeless later that day.

The cupcakes were part of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday. Montgomery County and cities throughout the country host service events in honor of the civil rights leader.

The Montgomery County Volunteer Center, which connects and helps county nonprofits, staged events at three locations. At each, different nonprofits hosted service activities where volunteers participated.

“It’s an opportunity to get your hands in there and do something that makes a difference,” said Molly Callaway, operations manager with the Montgomery County Volunteer Center.

In Silver Spring, about 12 groups staged activities at tables in the civic building. There were groups making papier mache, Valentine’s Day cards, beaded jewelry and plastic flower bouquets.

Shepherd’s Table, which feeds the homeless in Silver Spring, set out cupcakes for volunteers to decorate. The baked goods were then served after dinner.

Volunteers decorated cupcakes donated by Sugarhouse Cakery, said Haile Gebregziabher, administrative office manager with Shepherd’s Table. This is the third year Shepherd’s Table has participated in the Day of Service, Gebregziabher said.

“It is bringing the community together and just giving back,” Gebregziabher said.

The nonprofit, I AM B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L., had beads for volunteers to string into necklaces and bracelets.

The group’s focus is empowering women of all ages, said Melissa Daley, area coordinator. The group hosts mentoring programs for younger girls and helps women who have been victims of domestic violence.

The necklaces spelled out empowering words such as “beautiful”, “energetic,” “assertive” and “brave.” The jewely was then donated to women who had been domestic violence victims and homeless women and children through the nonprofit, A Wider Circle, which started a Silver Spring chapter a year ago.

“These are all the words that we feel will allow them to have more self esteem,” Daley said.

ktousignant@gazette.net