The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity have planned a fundraising walk for this weekend to help raise funds for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument.

Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity president Diallo Rabain and vice president Michael Wellman said that the civil rights leader was also a member of their fraternity.

"He was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at the Sigma Chapter, Boston University on June 22, 1952, while attending graduate school there," said Mr. Rabain.

The fraternity is now heavily involved in fundraising for a monument to Dr. King, whose birthday today is recognised in the United States with a national holiday.

"It was the Fraternity who hatched the idea of a national memorial to Dr. King, in January 1994," Mr. Rabain said of the tribute to be erected in Washington DC.

"However, it wasn't until November 12, 1996, that (former) US President Bill Clinton signed congressional legislation proposing the establishment of a memorial in the District of Columbia to honour Dr. King.

"The estimated cost of the memorial is $100 million and of that $72.8 million has been raised."

Additional information about the memorial can be found at www.mlkmemorial.org.

Part proceeds from the fundraising walk will also go to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda.

"Our chapter aims to raise $20,000 to be split between the MLK Memorial and the local chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters," said Mr. Rabain.

Fraternity branches throughout the world are hosting a number of events to raise funds for the memorial, designed by the ROMA Design Group.

"Chapters through the world and US will be hosting various events ranging from breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, walks and parties to raise the public's awareness of the memorial and raise money to donate," Mr. Rabain said.

"Each chapter is tasked with appointing a MLK Memorial chairperson who is responsible for organising fundraisers. Our local chairman is Brother C. Michael Wellman."

The fundraising walk will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Mr. Wellman said: "The theme for the walk-a-thon is 'If the dream fits, walk it!'

"There will be a 5K walk starting at and finishing at Victoria Park.

"While the walk is taking place, there will be entertainment, a fun castle, snacks, speeches and music and the event is scheduled to end at approximately 4 p.m. In the event of inclement weather a rain date will be announced."

Mr. Rabain added: "All members of the public are invited to attend and participate.

"The Epsilon Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc will have their Alpha Beaus write an essay titled 'The Significance of Sacrifice — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.' and the best essay will be read by the Alpha Beau on the day."

Although there is no participation fee to enter the walk-a-thon, organisers are asking all that participants collect a pledge sheet and donations.

Pledge sheets can be collected at the BBBS, second floor, Cap A Laige, 25 Point Finger Road, Paget. [tel] 232-2802 or e-mail bbbs@logic.bm or visit www.bbbs.bm.

Donations can also be forwarded to the Bank of Bermuda — Martin Luther King Foundation Walk a/c 010-120699-001.