Pool at King Center reflects volunteers’ hard work

Before he was our hero, he was her husband. On the day that would have marked 56 years of marriage for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, metro Atlantans came to the King Center to commemorate the anniversary.

“It gives me chills to be this close,” said Paula White, who was helping paint the bottom of the reflecting pool that surrounds the Kings’ final resting place.

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Kent D. Johnson/kdjohnson@ajc.com

Paula White of Jonesboro touches up the edges of the reflecting pool a the King Center.

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Dominion Construction has been refurbishing the reflecting pool area, aided by corporate sponsors including Home Depot, Sears Pool Co., BEHR and Chick-fil-A. On Thursday, Dominion and Home Depot volunteers turned out for a work session and ceremonial wreath laying.

White and her colleague James Augustus, who both work at the Riverdale Home Depot, were among those who said they were proud to give their time to the King Center.

“It’s definitely a special day,” Augustus said.

White said donating her time honored the Kings’ legacy of service.

“I always want to give back,” she said. “My anniversary wish for the Kings is that everyone would do their part for the community, because that’s what they were all about.”